Russell Lowell Acton, Sr., 65, of Wever, IA, passed away, way too soon on December 23, 2007.  Born June 30, 1942 in Memphis, MO the only child of Ivan William and Eva Daisy Acton.

            He was a 1961 graduate of Burlington High School.  Russell worked at Burlington Northern Santa Fe for 39 ½ years.  He retired in 2002.

            On November 15, 1980, he met his future wife and were together from that moment on.  So, on April 24, 1982, he married the love of his life, Rhonda Faye Martin Eaton.  Altogether they raised five children.  Russell loved being outdoors.  He loved hunting, fishing, hunting mushrooms, taking care of the livestock, his little farm, tinkering, building or rebuilding anything, and everything. He could fix almost anything.  He used to say that he was a “jack-of-all trades”, etc.  Russell never met a stranger.  He loved sitting down and talking to his friends, whom he loved dearly.  He will be truly missed by all he knew and loved.

            Russell is survived by his loving and heartbroken wife, Rhonda; his mother Eva and Willie Jarrett of Burlington; his children, June Faye Marie Sonnier and husband Paul, whom he loved as a son, of Huntsville, Texas, Joi Eva Harris and husband Jay, whom he loved as a son and Tara Lee Arvilla Eaton, both of Burlington, Russell Lowell “Rusty” Acton and Gloria of New Field, N.J. and William Robert “Bill” Acton and his wife Jen of Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Bill is currently serving in Iraq in the Marines.  Russell’s loving grandchildren, Justin Jay Harris, Joel Michael Harris, Jordan Elizabeth Harris, Dakota Paige Smith and Denver Lee Ross, all of Burlington.  Also surviving are his loving in-laws.  His mother-in-law, Arvilla Faye Martin; his brothers-and sisters-in law, Raymond Martin and Annie Kay of Keokuk and Kevin and Cindy Martin of Montrose.  One uncle, Charles Collins of Keokuk; three aunts, Georgia Couch and Clara Lancaster both of Memphis, MO and Norma Varner of Keokuk; nieces, nephews and cousins galore and more wonderful and loving friends than you can count.  Also, our daughter June found herself another set of parents right across the road when she moved to Texas. “Mama J” and “Pops” McEwin, whom Russell met on his month long visit to Texas each year and he instantly fell in love with them.  We have always been so grateful to them for being there for our daughter.  They are our “Southern” Family.  Russell is also survived by his loving dogs, Cricket Lola, Lucy Lu, and Sadie Belle, who don’t understand where Daddy is.  Everyone is heartbroken and devastated by his passing.

            He was preceded in death by his father, aunts and uncles including his Uncle Bob Garrison, who was like a father to him after his own father died.

            In all his friends and family’s hearts, Russell Lowell Acton was a true legend.  We will miss and love you forever, Sweetheart.