Charles E. Russell

Franklin NC - Charles E. Russell II, 65, of Franklin, North Carolina, formerly of West Leyden, passed away suddenly, of an apparent heart attack, on Monday, March 18, 2019, at his residence in Franklin. Charles was born in Rome, on February 20, 1954, a son of Charles E. Russell I, and Jane Barton Russell. He grew up in West Leyden, where he attended West Leyden Central School, completing his education at Adirondack Central High School, Boonville, where he graduated with the Class of 1972. While in high school, Charles played basketball and he excelled in playing baseball, participating on the West Leyden High School baseball team that won the NY State Baseball Championship title, in 1970, which was the final year for West Leyden High School. Mr. Russell employed as a teacher at the New York State School for the Deaf in Rome. After that he was employed in construction and communications in Tampa, Fla and in North Carolina, where he resided for many years. In addition to his mother, Jane Ernst, of West Leyden, Charles is survived by his siblings, James Russell, Syracuse; Charlene Russell, West Leyden, Kenneth L. Ernst, Forestport and Christian Ernst, West Leyden. He was predeceased by his father, Charles I, brothers, Kevin J. Ernst, on February 2, 2019, David Ernst, Jeffrey O. Ernst, and by sisters, Lynda and Michelle. Interment with a graveside service was held on Thursday, March 21, 2019, in the Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Franklin, NC.