Final Salute

James “Russell” Deer of Sun City West, AZ, formerly of Ross Township, died on May 25, 2018. Russell was born in Pittsburgh on August 24, 1927, the son of the late Samuel Russell and Elizabeth (Nielander) Deer. In addition to his parents and sisters Ida Forsythe and Betty Gados, Russell was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Anamae H. (Schutz) Deer.

He is survived by his three children, Debra (Ronald) Justice of Pennsylvania, Daniel (Gayle) Deer of Washington and Dana (Scott) Eichlin of Virginia. Five grandchildren, Matthew Gregory (Deer), Jessica, Sean, Wesley, and Kyle Eichlin, a sister, Lois Sheridan, and two great grandchildren.

Russell joined the Navy SeaBees in October 1944 and served in Okinawa during WWII. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as an Electrician in the construction industry. He was a member of St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the North Hills Masonic Lodge #716 F.&A.M, Citrus Model A Club and Phoenix Model A Club. He was an avid vintage Model A restorer during his free time.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday June 13th, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 at Schellhaas Funeral Home, Inc 388 Center Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15229, where a service will be held on Thursday June 14th at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to the Phoenix Model A Club and mailed to S. Kaiser, 2413 W. Cortez St, Phoenix, AZ 85029 in the name of Russell Deer.