contributed by Larry Toler 

Vernetta Alice Russell Mathews, age 75, of Carbondale, formerly of Johnson County, died in the Memorial Hospital, Carbondale, at 11:45 a.m, Feb. 24,1997.
  She was the daughter of Harry and Ida (Toler) Russell born Jan. 18,1922 in Colp (Williamson Co.), lllinois. She is survived by special friends Evelyn McKenzie and Gale Eads; several nieces and nephews, Barbar Ellen Anstedt, Jack Rehbein, Betty Lentz, Jim Russell, Vickie Croney,  Retta Alice Mosier, Winnie Campbell.
  She was preceded in death by .her parents, two .sisters Juanita Rehbein Logan and Bonnie Mae Johnston; one
brother, Virgil Russell.
She was an artist and teacher having attended SIU, Carbondale. She was a member of the Pleasant Ridge
Church and Kappa Phi Art Fraternity at SIU.
  Visitation was held Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Whitnel Funeral Home, Vienna.    Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Feb. 27, 1997, at the Whitnel Funeral Home with burial in Busby Chapel.Cemetery, Goreville with the Rev. Richard Bundren officiating.

Goreville Gazette, Wednesday
February 26,  1997