Russell Dewayne "Russ" Felion, 72, Belle Fourche, died Monday, January 25, 2010 at the Dorsett Health Care Center in Spearfish.

Visitation will be noon until 9 p.m. on Friday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis and resumes one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the Newell Evangelical Church with Pastor Tom Martin officiating. Burial follows at the Vale Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to the Vale Park.

Russ was born March 23, 1937 at Vale, SD, to Herbert and Anna (Salmen) Felion on the Homestead ranch. He attended and graduated from Vale High School. He married Louise Smith and to this union six children were born.

Russ started his working career at Ft. Meade in diatetics. Most of his career was working as a cook in several different steak houses and cafes throughout the Black Hills.

He loved helping teach dance lessons before his health deteriorated. He enjoyed doing things to make his friends and family happy.

He was a volunteer fireman in Whitewood and Vale, SD. He was a part time reserve officer for Butte County.

Survivors include his children, Betty Ann (Randy O'Dea) Flanagan, Gillette, WY, Cindy (Ron) King, Belle Fourche, SD, Kenny (Mary Jo) Felion, Grenada, MN, Michael (Starla) Felion, Glenrock, WY, Tina (Ken Dierking) Johnson, Gillette, WY; also 14 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.