Russell J. Drackley, 85, Arpin, passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at his home in the Town of Richfield, where he lived for 57 years.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at Buchanan / Rembs Funeral Home, Pittsville, where the family will receive relatives and friends from 9:00 am on Saturday until service time. Rev. Joel Deaner-Rogers will officiate. Burial will take place in Richfield Township Cemetery where military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 153 of Pittsville.

Russell was born on May 19, 1932 in Marshfield, to Richard and Ruby (Morrison) Drackley and was raised on a farm south of Marshfield and attended schools in the area. He worked on the Fred Hustedt farm before working at Kohler Foundry. While serving in the United States Army as a motor pool mechanic he met his future wife, PFC Dorothy M. Wire, a U.S. Army WAC. They were married on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1957 in Fort Gordon, Georgia. After their marriage, they farmed for 3 years on his home farm in the Town of Lincoln. He then worked for Lauby Cycle Service for 2 ½ years and Marshfield Homes/Wicks Buildings for 34 years until retirement.

Russell was a lifetime member of the Foxtrackers. He enjoyed making yard art, gardening, and tinkering in his shop.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy and their 4 daughters, Tina (John) Ensign of Capitola, CA, Alice (William) Thomas of Palm Harbor, FL, Nelda Drackley (Steven Lane) of Spokane, WA and Elsie Drackley Luu of Philadelphia, PA. He is also survived by 2 granddaughters, Luane (fiancé – Joseph Germano) Luu of Haddon Township, NJ and Jennia Luu of Philadelphia. He is further survived by a brother, Dale Drackley of Marshfield, sister-in-law, Bertha Drackley of Marshfield, brother-in-law, Alvin (Dorothy) Wire of Winslow, IL, and sister-in-law, Eileen (Tom) Giddings of Monmouth, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard “Dick” Drackley.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com