Russell K. Nilsen, 86 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at his residence following an extended illness. He was born on Thursday, August 20, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois the son of the late Paul Nilsen and the late Esther (Borsholt) Nilsen. He married Mary Alderson on July 25, 1953. Russell served in the United States Navy during WW II in the South Pacific. He attended the Decatur Church of God and in 1997 was the founder of Love, Inc. of Adams County. In 1965 he helped to found Black Hawk College in the Quad Cities, Illinois area. Russell graduated from IIT in Chicago with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. He had worked at Sherwin Williams and Tousey Varnish Companies in East Moline, Illinois. He transferred to Silberline Company in 1973 where he was the plant manager. In the late 1970's Russell was the owner and operator of the Western Auto Store in Decatur. Surviving are his wife, Mary Nilsen of Decatur, daughter, Julie (Marty) Braun of Grand Rapids, Michigan, son, Don (Barbara) Nilsen of Decatur, daughter, Gail (Ted) Baker of Muncie, Indiana, daughter, Margene (Steve) Harvey of Decatur, twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Preceding Russell in death was one brother, Paul Nilsen. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 31, 2011 in the Decatur Church of God with Ted Baker & Pastor Ed Lovelace officiating. Interment will follow in the Decatur Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #43 Color Guard. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, August 30 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Preferred memorials are to Love, Inc. or American Legion Post #43 in Decatur.
