CLARKSVILLE, Pennsylvania (MyValleyTributes) – Russell S. Nickel passed away peacefully on Monday morning, April 17, 2023, at Allegheny General Hospital after a short illness.

Russ was born in Clarksville, Pennsylvania on June 8, 1930 to Wilbert and Erma (Jewell) Nickel.

He graduated from Hickory High School in 1948.

He later married his first wife, Mary Jane McCullough, on August 20, 1948 and were together 54 years before her passing on November 22, 2002. Russ married his second wife, Sheila VanDyne on September 11, 2011. She survives him.

He was a lifelong member of Clark United Methodist Church, as well as a lifelong farmer.

Russell was a member of the PFA; a Jefferson Township Supervisor for 36 years and served on the supervisor’s state committee and President of PSATS for two years. In addition, Russ and his friend, Bud Hackett, founded the Jefferson Township Fair in 1970 and he was on the fair board where he continued to help and support the fair for many years.

He is survived by his three children, Ronald (Deborah), John and Lori (Lawrence); five grandchildren, Christopher (Rachel), Cari (Matthew), Emmy (John), Patrick (Brandie) and Charles; seven great-grandchildren, Wilson, Grace, Woodrow, Claire, Jack, Nolan and Kenneth; seven stepchildren, Kevin (Sharon), Kim (Rick), Kelly (Mike), Kerry (Steve), Kristen (Scott), Karen (Tim) and Kathleen (John); eight stepgrandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; three siblings, Eileen (Gordon), William (Patricia) and Tom (Joanne), as well as many nieces and nephews.

Russ was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jane; his son, William and brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Elaine.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. in Clark Trinity United Methodist Church with Pastor William Locke officiating.

Arrangements entrusted to the Sherman Funeral Home & Crematory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Russell S. Nickel, please visit our floral store.

A television tribute will air Thursday, April 20 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.