Russell Surface

SURFACE, Russell W. - age 66, was called home to Heaven on August 27 at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Russ entered McLaren Hospital on June 4 and fought for his life until the very end. Russ was born on January 7, 1941 to William and Annabelle Surface. He was the third of four children raised in the Surface home on Wells Street in Burton. His older sister Shirley was his spiritual "guide", leading him to Sunday School and eventually dragging him down Greenly Street in Burton to the Flint Baptist Temple, where he became one of the charter members at age 11. Russ' big brother Bob was a lifelong companion. They hunted for animals together as children and as the grew older they hunted for antiques. He will also be missed by his "baby" sister Sherry. They both loved harmonizing together in church as they sang the old hymns. Russ was a graduate of Bendle High School (1959), where he lettered in football, baseball, basketball and track. He was active in band, theater and church activities. While at Bendle he met and eventually married Janet Sue Barnes. Russ and Janet were married on September 8, 1962 at the Flint Baptist Temple. Together they raised two sons, Les and Will, in their home in Flushing. The boys always considered him the best dad in the world. That home was later blessed with two grandchildren, Noah and Emmy, who brought constant joy and love to his later years. Noah will miss sharing popcorn and playing hide-and-seek with his slippers, while Emmy will always remember having grandpa brush her hair and stealing bites of melon. Leading the way for his family, Russ served faithfully at Flint Baptist Temple for over 50 years. He began ushering at age 18, a service he enjoyed and continued until the day before he entered the hospital. He also worked in the youth programs, leading singing, teaching Bible stories and conducting a weekly Sword Drill. On January 4, 1960 at age 18, Russ started as a tool maker apprentice at the Fisher Body plant in Grand Blanc. He worked there for over 46 years, retiring as night shift supervisor of jig & fixture operations on April 1, 2006. He was an avid golfer, playing racquetball (until age 66!) and loved going to antique stores. Russ enjoyed spending time with his family most of all, including holiday get-togethers and the annual vacation at Paradise Beach in Tawas. Russ will always be remembered for his love and sacrifice for family, his generosity, quiet wisdom and sense of humor. He loved U.S. history, particularly the World War II era. His favorite book of the Bible was Proverbs, though he loved teaching every Bible story. Russ was preceded in death by his father, William Earl Surface, in 1967; his mother, Annabelle Mae Surface (Graydon), in 1972; niece Janyce Brown (Surface) in 2005; brother-in-law Jack Simmons in 2002 and sister-in-law Monica (Jim) Thornell in 2001. He is survived by his wife, Janet Sue Surface (Barnes);son Leslie Barnes, his wife Donna Kay (Dee Dee), grandson Noah Walter and granddaughter Emmalene Hannah; son William Earl and his fiancée Amy Marie Hyatt. Also surviving are his siblings: Shirley and Charles Johnson, Bob and Helen Surface, Sherry and Bob VanKuren and sister-in-law, Joan Simmons. He will be missed by many nieces and nephews: Tab and Paula, Rhonda and Floyd,LaDonna, Kim and Donnie, Jeremy, Arvid, Kenny and Cindy, Fawn and Brian, Val and Tom, Doug, Dawn, Kris and Bob, George, Jim and Maureen, John and Sherry,Jill and David. He also will be remembered by many precious great nieces,nephews and numerous dear friends. Visitation will be Thursday, August 30 from 11 AM to 9PM at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek. A Masonic service will be held 7 PM Thursday under the Auspices of Swartz Creek Lodge #458. The funeral service will be at 10 AM on August 31 at the Flint Baptist Temple, 1430 East Bristol Road in Burton,followed by a graveside service at Flint Memorial Park and lunch at the church. Family and friends are invited to the lunch to celebrate his life and share fond memories. Those wishing may make contributions in Russ' honor to the Flint Baptist Temple, 1430 East Bristol Road, Burton, Michigan,48529. Funds will be used to remodel the church kitchen, where Russ served the Sunrise Breakfast every Easter. Friends may share an online condolence with the family on the obituary page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.