Russell Lee Zabel, 77, of Rushville MO, died Monday, Feb. 17th, 2014 at the Medicalodge of Atchison where Mr. Zabel had been ill for sometime.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm on Friday, Feb. 21st, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Rev. Robert Ziegler officiating. Burial will follow in the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Rushville, MO. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on Thursday, Feb. 20rd, 2014 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Trinity Lutheran School Endowment Fund and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Russell was born on June 20, 1936 in Atchison Kansas the son of Walter John Frank and Margaret E. (Tull) Zabel. He attended Trinity Lutheran Grade School and Atchison High School. He was married to Donna Z. Hartman on Feb. 24, 1956 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Atchison. She survives of the home. Mr. Zabel worked as a grain handler for Lincoln Grain, Pillsbury’s, and Rushville Elevator. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, and enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing, attending County Fairs, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Additional survivors include three sons; Danny L. (Gail) Zabel, Rushville, MO., Michael J. Zabel, St. Joseph, MO., and Russell Lee (Doris) Zabel, Jr., Rushville, MO, three daughters, Lydia L. Kern, Guthrie, OK., Willette G. (Richard) Sinclair, Atchison, KS., and Virginia A. (Leon) Jones, Bendena, KS., a brother, Albert G. Zabel, Crescent, IA., and two sisters, Norma G. Dame, Rushville, MO., and Mary E. Miller, Sun Lakes, AZ, twelve grandchildren, and Seventeen great grandchildren, and three step great grandchildren.