Russell Edwards

Russell L. Edwards, 79, of Chambersburg, passed away Saturday morning, July 21, 2012. Born March 14, 1933 in Croyle, Cambria County, PA, he was a son of Bernard and Emma Flenner Sikorski. After graduating from high school, Russell served as a military police officer with the US Army. He was employed as a die maker at the former James River Company in Chambersburg for thirty-five years, retiring in 1998. He was a member of Heidelberg Church in Marion and a life member of the Marion Volunteer Fire Company. He also held membership in the AARP. Russell was an avid bowler and he enjoyed spending time with his K-9 companion, Max. He spent part of every morning working word search, cryptogram, and crossword puzzles. His wife, Joyce Fessler Edwards, whom he married May 28, 1959, preceded him in death on June 7, 1993.

He is survived by two children, James R. Edwards and wife Patty of Chambersburg and Lauri D. Bookheimer and husband David of Fayetteville; a grandson, Todd W. Nesbitt; two brothers, Bernard “Sonny” Sikorski and wife Bernadette of Loretto, PA and Donald Sikorski and wife Chris of Crossville, TN; and a sister, Dianne Sikorski of Summerhill, PA. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jimmy Edwards.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Thursday, July 26, 2012 in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Paul B. Baker will officiate. Interment with military honors by members of the Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW Honor Guard will follow at Lincoln Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Wednesday and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Better Days Animal League, 12310 Mongul Hill Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257 or to Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, 2325 County Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202.