Russel M. Pope, 81, died on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, surrounded by his family at his country residence in rural Carlyle, where he and his wife had resided since November of 2021.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 6, at First Presbyterian Church in Sorento. Brother Tom Rankin will officiate. Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery in Sorento. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at the church.
Mr. Pope was born on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1943, to Ralph D. and Geraldine O. (May) Pope in Sorento, in a section of the town known as “Oklahoma.” He attended the Sorento Grade School and graduated with the class of 1961 from Bond County Community Unit #2.
Mr. Pope and the former Evelyn Towell were married in the Sorento First Presbyterian Church by the late Rev. James Howie on June 8, 1963, and enjoyed over 61 years of marriage. She survives.
Mr. Pope worked 23 years for Monterey Coal Company, in both #1 in Carlinville and #2 in Albers, as laborer and later as supervisor. He was an active member of the Sorento First Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder for over 40 years. Mr. Pope enjoyed helping at the church with projects and required maintenance. After relocating to Clinton County, he had attended Wisetown Baptist Church. He was a fifty year member of the Sorento Masonic Lodge 861, which later joined the New Douglas Lodge.
Mr. Pope enjoyed being outside when the weather was nice, and in recent years had put up bluebird boxes which had produced several clutches of bluebirds that he enjoyed watching grow. Mr. Pope enjoyed being involved in the activities of his grandchildren, Bethany and Dustin, family gatherings and quiet moments, alike.
Mr. Pope is survived by his wife, Evelyn Pope; daughter, Julie (Dean) Carrillon of Carlyle; grandchildren, Bethany and Dustin Carrillon; sister, Geraldine (Lonnie) Griffiths of Sorento; aunt, Shirlene (Andy) Dougherty of Kincaid; uncle, Eldon May of Paoli, IN; several cousins; and many dear nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, the Mays and the Popes; parents, Ralph and Geraldine Pope; a brother Gary (Kay survives) of New Orleans; sister Karen McCracken; and brother-in-law, Orin McCracken.
Memorials are suggested to the Sorento First Presbyterian Church, Wisetown Baptist Church, Sunnyside Cemetery or the donor’s choice. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is serving the family. To sign the online guest book, light a virtual candle, or for more information, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
