Obituary – Russell W. Alers

 

Russell Wayne Alers was born June 16, 1956, in Alton/Wood River, Ill. He died, with his close, step-nephew, Joe Anderson, of Columbia, vigilantly at his side, on January 13, 2025, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield; he was 68.

Russ (aka “Swade”) moved to Licking with his family in 1961, when his dad was hired to help build new Highway 63. Russ was proud he did all 12 grades in Licking and was involved in boy scouts, FFA, band, etc. He loved fishing, baseball, rock music, writing, and gadgets all his life.

He moved to Texas in his late 20s and worked his way up to the position of construction survey team leader for commercial jobs around Houston, Texas.

Sadly, his life was altered dramatically when he had his first stroke in his mid 50s!

He struggled back to riding his bike again, loved spending time with his wife, the kids and grandkids, and after his wife died, he spoke often of coming back to Licking, which he did in 2023.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Valerie; stepdaughter, April, in Texas; both his parents, Eve (Elrod) Alers Bonham Hildebrand, of Licking, and Bill Alers, of Conroe, Texas; his older brother, Fred Alers, of Licking, and his younger brother, John Alers, of Conroe, Texas; as well as close relatives and long-term friends.

He is survived by his stepdaughter, Denise; stepson and wife, Ricky and Rachel; and his beloved grandchildren, all in Texas; his sister and brother-in-law, Victoria (Alers) and Richard Anderson, of Holts Summit, Mo., and their family in California, Arizona and Missouri; one niece, Debbie (Alers) Yates and husband, Mark, and sons, of Licking area; and other close family in Missouri, Louisiana, California and Oregon.

Russ spent the last several months at Licking Residential Care, on Hwy 32, where he got good care but could still stay in Licking. He was an organ/tissue donor in coordination with Compassus of Cox South-Springfield, Mid-America Transplant and Fox Funeral Home of Licking.

A Celebration of Life is planned for late spring, when close cousin Ronda (Newbound) Rose can arrive from her home in New Orleans.

Russ often said about looking at past problems, “Can’t catch any fish back there!”

Love you, little Brother; RIP.

Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.foxfh.net.