Russell C. Townsend

Russell "Russ" C. Townsend

(June 11, 1954 - October 31, 2026)

Russell Charles Townsend, age 72, of Freeport, IL, passed away peacefully at Citadel at Saint Joseph Village on October 31, 2026, after a quiet decline brought on by Alzheimer's disease. He was born on June 11, 1954, in Savanna, IL, to Philip and Ruth (Blyth) Townsend. He was a class of 1972 graduate of Hanover High School, where he earned honors in football, basketball and shot put. Russell married his high school sweetheart, Cindy (Unangst), on June 21, 1975. Together they raised two children, son Mark and daughter Tracey.

After attending Highland Community College, Russell took a job at Warehouse Market in Freeport, which later became Food Bonanza. He worked there for 18 years, handling every job imaginable before a promotion to store manager in 1984. After leaving Food Bonanza in 1994, Russell held managerial positions at Noller's Food Pride in Lena, IL, as well as Cubs Food and Wal-Mart in Beloit, WI. He spent his final working years at Honeywell in Freeport, before retiring in 2016.

Russell was an avid sports fan, spending much of his free time watching or listening to every baseball, football or basketball game he could find. He grew up a Milwaukee Braves fan and idolized the great Hank Aaron. He was a hard-working, kind-hearted, soft-spoken gentleman, who loved the company of family, friends, and was respected by all who had the good fortune of knowing him.

Russell is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Cindy, son Mark and daughter Tracey (Rob) Moore, all of Freeport. He is also survived by four brothers, Vance (Barbara) Townsend of Severance, CO, Ward (Barb) Townsend of Galena, IL, Andrew (Cindy) Townsend of Albuquerque, NM, Ernie Townsend of St. Charles, IL, his sister Amber (Rusty) Palm of Sugar Grove, IL, brother-in-law Mark (Mary) Unangst of St. Louis, MO, many adoring cousins, nieces and nephews, and his two beloved grand-dogs, Beau and Frankie.

In addition to his parents, Russell was preceded in death by his brother, Frank Townsend, and his in-laws, Clifford and Mary Ann Unangst.

The Townsend family would like to sincerely thank the staff of Tri-State Home HealthCare, Saint Joseph's Village in Freeport and Mercy Health Freeport for their exceptional care and kindness during Russell's final years.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time.

Cremation rites have been accorded.