MOUNT VERNON — Russel Fulkerson, 89, of Mt. Vernon, IL and formerly of Carmi passed away on Friday, March 15, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.  He was born in Herald Prairie Township, IL on October 3, 1934 the son of Joe and Elsie (O’Neal) Fulkerson.

Russel married Shirley L. Niekamp on November 25, 1956. Russel faithfully served his country for four years in the U.S. Army, spending two of those years in Germany and achieved the rank of Sergeant.  He had worked for Ronald Ackerman before going to work at General Tire.  After retirement, Russel did a little farming and served as the Carmi Dog Catcher.  He was a member of the Carmi Church of the Nazarene.

Russel is survived by his wife of 67 years, Shirley; two sons, Steve (Angela) Fulkerson of Bonnie, IL and Tommy (Jeannie) Fulkerson of Mt. Vernon, IL; four grandchildren, Jason, (Janna) Fulkerson, Justin (Tracy) Fulkerson, Kegan Fulkerson and Brock (Alison) Fulkerson; four great-grandchildren, Avery, Logan, Lily and Burke Fulkerson;a sister-in-law, Marion Niekamp; along with numerous nieces and nephews.  The family would like to extend a special thank you to Residential Hospice for their care of Russel and the family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, nine siblings, Jane Sneed, Grace Fulkerson, Reba Aud, Si Fulkerson, Dallas Fulkerson, Dayton “Bill” Fulkerson, Woollard Fulkerson, Lynn Fulkerson and Leland “Doc” Fulkerson; a brother-in-law, Don Niekamp and a sister-in-law and her husband, Maxine (Jim) Mitchell.

Funeral services for Russel Fulkerson, 89, of Mt. Vernon will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 18, 2024 at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi. Burial will follow in North Maple Ridge Cemetery with full military honors by the Carmi American Legion and VFW.

Visitation will be held on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until service time at 1:00 p.m. at Campbell Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Russel’s memory to the Carmi Church of the Nazarene and will be accepted at Campbell Funeral Home.