RUSSEK, Frederick P. (Fred)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 07/18/2014 Frederick P. Russek, 96, passed away June 28, 2014, at his home in Gilbert of natural causes. He was born July 23, 1917, in Schulenburg, Texas, to Emilie and Edward Russek. Fred enlisted into the Army Air Corps in 1941, and he became a flight engineer for the 376th Heavy Bomb Wing. He flew 37 combat missions during World War II and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and seven Air Medals. After the war, he graduated from ASU with a degree in accounting. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and spent many years as an active member of the Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife, Janet Russek; two brothers, E. J. and Leo Russek; two children, Fred (Ellie) Russek and Mary Ann McHale,; six stepchildren, Mike (Karen) Hogan, Charmaine (Mark) Goin, Thomas Hogan, Susan Simon, Sarah Badger and Kathryn (Rodney) Fauser; and many grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers and sisters. “Our family would like to thank Serendipity Lifestyles and especially Tracy Sulzer for their dedication and care of Fred during his final months.” A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 25, at St. Mary Magdalene Parish, 2564 E. Williams Field Road, in Gilbert, followed by a burial at the state cemetery at 1 p.m. “The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.”