Obituary for Russel David Lake
Russel David Lake, 95, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2019 in Clarksburg, WV after a long, strong fight. He is survived by his loving wife Bertha Ellen (Haddix) Lake. They shared 72 years of marriage together.
Russel was born on September 3, 1923 in Salem, WV to David Esker and Fanny Ann Lake. He was the last surviving child out of 11. Russel served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was a Company Runner in France and Germany for the 44th Armored Infantry in the 6th Armored Division under General Patton. His platoon arrived in Europe the day Normandy was invaded. Russel also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was very proud to be a Veteran and would share many of his brave stories with family and friends.
After World War II, he returned home to his beloved West Virginia and married his wonderful wife, Bertha, who he called by her nickname, “Shorty.” Russel was a Carpenter and a proud member of the Carpenter's Union. He would often tell stories of the work he had done and the people he had worked alongside. After retiring, Russel and Bertha explored their love for travel and seeing new places. They brought so much joy to everyone, no matter where they went, for their uncanny resemblance to Mr. and Mrs. Claus. He will be fondly remembered in Clarksburg and beyond, as looking like and playing Santa Claus for many years. He was often seen walking with a cane that he had painted to look like a candy cane. He always loved seeing the reactions he could get from people, especially children, and was known to carry toys in the trunk of his car for such occasions.
Russel was very proud of his family and all of his collectables displayed in his workshop. Everyone that came to visit got to see his wall full of family pictures and military memorabilia, and then they took the mandatory walk to his workshop to see all of his collectables. Family meant a lot to Russel. He and Bertha hosted family reunions every 4th of July so he could spend time with his extended family. It was not unusual to have family attend from as far away as Texas. He was a great man and he touched so many lives.
In addition to his loving wife Bertha “Shorty,” Russel is survived by their 8 children: Jack (Charlotte) Lake, Wilma Greene, Joann Cochran, Christine (Jerry) Maxwell, Irene (Bob) Rogers, Edwin (Susan) Lake, Teresa (Greg) Kipp, and Jason (Melissa) Lake. He will also be sadly missed by his 11 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 2 step great-grandchildren.
“God saw him getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around him and whispered, ‘Come to Me.’ With tearful eyes we watched him suffer, and slowly fade away. Although we loved him dearly we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.”
The family would like to thank the staff at the VA Hospital for taking care of our Russel throughout the many years.
Friends will be received at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport, from 2 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday April 12, 2019, with Reverend Dan Cope presiding. Military Funeral Honors will be accorded by the Harrison County Honor Guard and WV Army National Guard Honor Guard. Interment will be in West Virginia National Cemetery.
Russel was born on September 3, 1923 in Salem, WV to David Esker and Fanny Ann Lake. He was the last surviving child out of 11. Russel served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was a Company Runner in France and Germany for the 44th Armored Infantry in the 6th Armored Division under General Patton. His platoon arrived in Europe the day Normandy was invaded. Russel also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was very proud to be a Veteran and would share many of his brave stories with family and friends.
After World War II, he returned home to his beloved West Virginia and married his wonderful wife, Bertha, who he called by her nickname, “Shorty.” Russel was a Carpenter and a proud member of the Carpenter's Union. He would often tell stories of the work he had done and the people he had worked alongside. After retiring, Russel and Bertha explored their love for travel and seeing new places. They brought so much joy to everyone, no matter where they went, for their uncanny resemblance to Mr. and Mrs. Claus. He will be fondly remembered in Clarksburg and beyond, as looking like and playing Santa Claus for many years. He was often seen walking with a cane that he had painted to look like a candy cane. He always loved seeing the reactions he could get from people, especially children, and was known to carry toys in the trunk of his car for such occasions.
Russel was very proud of his family and all of his collectables displayed in his workshop. Everyone that came to visit got to see his wall full of family pictures and military memorabilia, and then they took the mandatory walk to his workshop to see all of his collectables. Family meant a lot to Russel. He and Bertha hosted family reunions every 4th of July so he could spend time with his extended family. It was not unusual to have family attend from as far away as Texas. He was a great man and he touched so many lives.
In addition to his loving wife Bertha “Shorty,” Russel is survived by their 8 children: Jack (Charlotte) Lake, Wilma Greene, Joann Cochran, Christine (Jerry) Maxwell, Irene (Bob) Rogers, Edwin (Susan) Lake, Teresa (Greg) Kipp, and Jason (Melissa) Lake. He will also be sadly missed by his 11 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 2 step great-grandchildren.
“God saw him getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around him and whispered, ‘Come to Me.’ With tearful eyes we watched him suffer, and slowly fade away. Although we loved him dearly we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.”
The family would like to thank the staff at the VA Hospital for taking care of our Russel throughout the many years.
Friends will be received at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport, from 2 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday April 12, 2019, with Reverend Dan Cope presiding. Military Funeral Honors will be accorded by the Harrison County Honor Guard and WV Army National Guard Honor Guard. Interment will be in West Virginia National Cemetery.