Russell E. Foster, 63, of Rock Island, formerly of Mercer County, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at Trinity Medical Center West Campus, Rock Island, Illinois.

Visitation is 4 - 6 PM Friday, June 26th at Bewley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Aledo, with cremation following the visitation. Graveside services will be 1:00 PM Saturday, July 11, 2009. Burial will be in the Preemption Cemetery.

Russell was born May 19, 1946 in Rock Island, the son of Robert Hensell and Phyllis McMeekan Foster.

He was educated in the Sherrard School District. He was a farmhand and worked for Spencer Disposal. He enjoyed Jeff Gordon and NASCAR, fishing, collecting baseball cards and watching the Green Bay Packers.

Survivors (and spouses) include his sister, Rita (Robert) Bird, Seaton, IL; brother, Rodney Foster, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; nephew, Robby (Jenny) McAlister, Palmyra, Missouri; a special great niece, Meredith McAlister; uncles, Clyde McMeekan, Matherville, Illinois and Vernon McMeekan, Chicago, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents and sisters, Rose and Roberta.