Russell J. Bohn, 92, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, at Franciscan Health Michigan City, IN, after a very brief illness.
He was born Sept. 25, 1927, in Havelock, IA, to Merle and Elsie (Smith) Bohn.
Russell graduated from Spirit Lake High School in Spirit Lake, IA, in 1945. He served in the U.S. Army within the Finance Department of the Air Corps. In 1951, he graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He retired after 36 years as a mechanical engineer. Russell was also a registered professional engineer in the state of Indiana and held a license as an Indiana Real Estate Broker. He was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Michigan City, where he was an ordained Elder; Michigan City Exchange Club; MC Senior Center; 76’ers Golf League; Elks 432; American Legion Post 451; and Meals on Wheels. He served on the board of directors for the La Porte County Council on Aging, on the advisory board of the La Porte County Solid Waste District, and on the board of the Flying Carpet Travelogue.
He loved playing pool, working puzzles, and collecting hats from his and his wife Joyce’s travels around the world. But his real passion was playing golf. He has gone to play golf in heaven and hopes his score improves. Russell was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was happily married to his best friend, Joyce, for 68 years. Russell will be remembered as a kind and thoughtful person with a sense of humor. He was a positive asset wherever he went. He always provided good and moral leadership at home, church and his civic activities. Michigan City is a better place because he was there. He will be missed by many friends and family.
Surviving are his wife, Joyce; children, Lee (Mary) Bohn of Bethel, VT, and Lynn (Jim) Maritch of Portland, OR; granddaughter, Emily (C.R.) Moultry; 2 great-grandchildren, Riley and Aria Moultry; siblings, Shirley Mann of Spirit Lake, IA, and Karen Powell of Chester, NJ; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kris Bohn; sister, Marcille Blair; and brother, Arlo Bohn.
Cremation has taken place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, La Porte. A private family service will be scheduled at a future date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Michigan City, 121 W. 9th St., Michigan City, IN 46360.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.cutlercares.com.