Daily Review July 6, 2003
Russell Mick Wells, age 76, passed away on July 4, 2003, at his home in Evergreen. He was born November 15, 1926 in Homets Ferry, Pa., the son of the late Mable and Leland Wells, Sr. Russell was a 24 year veteran of the United States Army. He fought many battles in his life but none so valiant as his battle with bladder cancer. On July 1, 1953, Russell married Jeannetta (Washburn) Wells in the Moxie Community Church. It was a loving and devoted marriage of 50 years. Russell joined the Army February 7, 1945 after a brief period as civilian, he re-entered the service in 1950. He retired from the service in 1970. During his long career he was stationed at Camp Wheeler, GA (basic training), Pittsburgh, California, Philippine Islands, North Honschu, Japan, Fort Mead, MD, Hawaii, Fort Lewis in WA, Bremer Haven and Lingroise, Germany (where he went to quartermaster school to learn to cook and bake), Indiantown Gap, Manchester, England, Carlisle, PA, Edgewood Arsenal, MD, Wilmington, OH, Korea, Fort Hood, TX, the Mohave Desert (during the Cuban Crisis), Fort Richardson, AK (where he went to "Knucklehead" school and earned his GED at the age of 32, an accomplishment that brought him much pride), Fort Gordon, GA and Vietnam. Upon his retirement he, Jeannetta and their four children settled in the Wyalusing/New Albany area.
Russell worked with his father-in-law Claude and brother-in-law Duane Canfield logging. He also hauled grain. In 1973, he started working at Masonite Corp., in Wysox. He worked there until 1986 when a debilitating injury forced him into early retirement. This gave him more time to raise his beautiful vegetable and flower gardens, livestock and his beloved pets. His "pets" ranged from cats and dogs, to pot belly pigs, raccoons, and squirrels. He and Jeannetta loved to cook and bake no one ever left their table hungry. Russell also loved to hunt and fish. While stationed in Alaska he enjoyed hunting moose and caribou. He also enjoyed time spent with his family fishing for salmon and digging clams. Back in Pennsylvania he taught each of his sons to handle a gun and a fishing pole (fishing was a sport that Jeannetta and their daughter Valinda also enjoyed). He loved to travel and he and Jeannetta continued to take trips as often as possible. In 1991 the couple and their granddaughter made the trek back to Alaska, across Canada, then the West Coast back across the continent to the East Coast. Russell loved to "pick" and tell stories. He was every ones favorite uncle and Poppa. If you found a sick or injured animal Poppa would nurse it back to health. If you had a fussy baby Poppa would lull it to sleep. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jeannetta (Washburn) Wells. His four children: Lyle Terry Wells and Virginia Ross, of New Era, Valinda (Wells Donovan) Pointek and Siegfried Behe, of Friendsville, Michael Wells, of Towanda, Eugene and Sopon Wells, of Evergreen; daughter-in-law: Beverly (Chilson) Wells, of Franklindale; grandchildren: Adam and Amber (Williams) Wells, of Laceyville, Cheri Wells, of Bloomsburg, Becky (Donovan) and David Shores, of New Albany, Amy (Donovan) and Roland Aeppli, of Herrickville, Ryan and Lori (Stanley) Donovan, of Dushore, Candace Wells, of Franklindale, Zachariah Wells, of Towanda, PA; step grand daughter, Misty Smith and Al Johnson, of Towanda; great grandchildren: Terry and Tristen Shores, of New Albany, Nathaniel Donovan, of Dushore, Sierra Smith and Shelby Johnson, of Towanda, PA, Lila Bowen, of New Albany; a special sister Shirley Barnett, of Towanda, Jean Lee, of Massachusetts; brothers: Carl and (Loueva) Wells of New Era, William (Mary) Wells, of New Albany, Ralph (Virginia) Wells of Tunkhannock, sister-in-law: Mary Jane Wells, of Wilmot, Virginia (Joseph) Bell, of South Auburn, Luila (Allison) Steele, of Green, NY, Jean Canfield, of Towanda; brother-in-laws: Duane Canfield, of Moxie, Vernon Canfield, of Moxie and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Mable and Leland Wells, Sr.; mother-in-laws and father-in-laws: Claude and Hazel Canfield and Robert and Louise Washburn. His sisters and their spouses: Marie Moore, Mildred Teeter, Evelyn Shedden, Beatrice Shedden; brothers: Wayne Morningstar (and Elizabeth), Leland Wells, Jr., brother-in-law: Edward Canfield; sisters- in- laws: Claudia Canfield, and Elaine Canfield. A special brother in law Samuel Barnett (we know that they are up there fishing and spoiling grand babies and sons). A son Jesse Llwellyn, 1954, a grandson Eric Russell Donovan 1978, great granddaughter Jesslyn Rose Aeppli, 2002. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. in the McHenry Funeral Home, 106 Church Street, Wyalusing, PA, with the Rev. Russell Pierce, pastor officiating. Interment will follow in New Era Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to call on Wednesday, at McHenry Funeral Home, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service.