Gwendolyn L. Russell

Gwendolyn Russell, 85, formerly of Berrien Springs, died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at Caissa Care Home in Gilbert, Ariz.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at Bethel Baptist Church, Niles, with burial following in Union Cemetery, Berrien Center. Friends may visit from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs, and share condolences online at www.allredfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Gwen was born March 20, 1933, in Carsonville, Mich., the daughter of George and Leata Myers. In addition to raising her family, she worked for many years as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell Telephone in Detroit. Gwen loved being around children, she loved animals, and if you knew her, you loved her.

Survivors include two sons: Bob (Barbara) Blake of Eastpointe, Mich., and Mark (Becky) Blake of Chandler, Ariz.; daughter, Debi (Perry) Maniaci of Clinton Township, Mich; four stepsons: Gary (Diane) Russell of Quincy, Ill., Randy (Linda) Russell of Berrien Springs, Ron (Diane) Russell of Traverse City, and Wayne (Julie) Russell of Almont, Mich.; stepdaughter, Penni Karam of Sterling Heights, Mich; two brothers: George (Joan) Myers of Macomb, Mich., and Larry (Joyce) Myers of Rochester Hills, Mich.; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several step-grand- and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Billy Russell, whom she married March 1, 1980, in Center Line, Mich.; brother, John Myers; and her first husband, Bob Blake.