John R. "Russ" Clayton

John R. “Russ” Clayton, age 97 of West Branch, passed away Tuesday December 28, 2010 at Bortz Health Care in West Branch. Russ had lived in West Branch for all of his life. He was a member of the Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church and he enjoyed woodworking and gardening. Russ was a WWII Master Sergeant in the Army Air Corp serving as an airplane mechanic. He was stationed in the GuadalCanal in the Phillipine Islands. Russ is survived by his wife Allene of West Branch, children; Gerald (Ann) Clayton of West Branch, David (Vickie Kiel) Clayton of Hillman and Marsha (Chuck) Davenport of Greenville, grandchildren; Chad (Anne) Clayton, Carrie (Chris) Newcomb, David (Sarah) Clayton, Kent Clayton, Connie (Dwight) Hardies, Bryan Davenport (Danielle Rodgers), Brent (Trish) Davenport and Lori (Gerald) Malson, 16 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers and sisters, Paul (Yvonne) Clayton of Arizona, Elton Clayton of Owosso, Arzell Stillwagon of West Branch, and James (Dorothy) Clayton of West Branch. He was preceded in death by his sisters Grace Wasolaski, Helen Cripps, Doris DeLong and Margaret Young and his brothers Carl Clayton, Gordon Clayton and Bill Clayton. Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Thursday, December 30, 2010 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. On Friday, Russ will lie in state at the Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church in West Branch beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Bob Mohr will officiate.