Lyle Russell Sanford

L. Russell Sanford Jr., 69, of Harrisville died Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Home. Born September 26, 1943 to Lyle Russell and Thelma (Laycock) Sanford Sr. in Lansing, MI, he was raised there. On October 2, 1964, he married Mary Peterson in New York. Russell joined the United States Army, and served in the Vietnam War. After the war, he resided in Nebraska, and in Warren, MI where he worked as a machinist. In 1995, he moved to Alcona County. Russell was an active member of the Family Heritage Baptist Church in Harrisville, where he performed maintenance, supervised the audio library, and lead youth groups. He was a Challenge Group Leader for Reformers Unanimous, an outreach ministry. Russ was a member of the VFW Alcona Post #6466 of Harrisville, and was a former 4-H volunteer. He enjoyed fishing and baseball. He is survived by his wife Mary, one son, Brian (Anna) Sanford of Harrisville, one daughter, Joy (Neil) Lantto of Harrisville, one brother, Milton (Betty Hodges) Sanford of Stanton, two grandchildren, Cora Beverlin and Terrence Wolfe and a nephew, David Laycock. He was preceded in death by his sister; Charm Holder, and brother; Waldo Laycock. Visitation will be Thursday, November 1, 2012, from 1:00 P.M. until the funeral at 3:00 P.M. at Gillies Funeral Home, Lincoln. Rev. Ernest Ruemenapp will officiate. Burial will be in West Lawn Cemetery, Harrisville. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lyle Russell Sanford, please visit our flower store.