Obituary of Russell E. Houston

Russell E. Houston of Wurtsboro, a retired service station owner and mechanic, and lifelong resident of the area, passed away Monday, April 16, 2007 in Montgomery. He was 86 years old. The son of the late Elmont Houston and Helen Smith Houston Cook, he was born November 16, 1920 in Newburgh. Russell served in the United States Army 4th Cavalry in the European Theatre from November 1942 to November 1945, earning several service decorations and citations. He was also a Life member of the Mamakating American Legion Post #1266, where he served in various offices, and was a longtime member of the Wurtsboro Fire Company #1. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Katherine Startup Houston; two daughters, Jacqueline Marchant and her husband, Lewis of Middletown and Wendy Anderson and her husband, Jon of Northfield, Vt.; two grandchildren, Emily McElroy and Zachary Cohen. He was predeceased by his oldest daughter, Gail Marie Houston. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 19 from 5-8 p.m. at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro. His funeral service will be held on Friday, April 20 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Robert Schwander will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in the Sylvan Cemetery in Wurtsboro. His family wishes to thank the staff of Orange Regional Medical Center, Tucker Wing, First Floor and the staff at the Montgomery Nursing Home for their loving care and compassion for Russell. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Mamakating American Legion Post #1266, Pine Street, Wurtsboro, NY 12790, the Wurtsboro Fire Company, P.O. Box 442, Wurtsboro, NY 12790, or to the Humane Society of Middletown, 142 Bloomingburg Road, Middletown, NY 10940. Arrangements under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com