Willia June (Peek) Russell, 73, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Sunday (October 2, 2016) at Macon Health Care Center in Macon.

The daughter of Ransley Raymond and Edith Juanita (Mathes) Peek, she was born November 13, 1942 in Kirksville, Missouri. In 1961 Willia June married Burl Bowen and to this union four children were born. On September 12, 2009 in Kirksville, Missouri, Willia June married Robert "Bob" Russell.

Willia June is survived by her husband Bob of the home; one son Deon Marc Bowen and wife Lucinda Kay of Kirksville, MO; three daughters, Shelley Janine Wheeler and Patti Danine Preston both of Kirksville, MO, and Danielle Dawn Gentner and wife Kortney of Jefferson City, MO; one step son Allen Wayne Russell of Olathe, KS; one step daughter Lori Peitz and husband Dwayne of Olathe, KS; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray and Joan Peek of Memphis, MO, and Larry and Edith Page of Kirksville, MO; one sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Bill Gosney of Edina, MO; fifteen grandchildren, Brandon Tarpein, Jordan Wheeler, Holland Daniels, Savannah Wheeler, Craig Preston, Samantha Sthole, Miranda Preston, Bria Hendrix, Miranda Abernathy, Adam Peitz, Alyssa Clark, Ryan Russell, Trey Russell, Tanner Russell, and Ryder Russell; nine great-grandchildren; three brothers-in-law, Jerry Russell and wife Dorene of Queen City, MO, Jay Russell of Lee's Summit, MO, and Rick Russell of St. Louis, MO, as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, John L. Peek; one granddaughter, Amanda Preston; and her son-in-law, Steve Preston.

Willia June was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1960. She worked several clerical positions at KCOM, The Kirksville Crier, Child Support Enforcement and the Kirksville Daily Express.

Willia June was very proud of all of her children and accepted their friends as if they were her own, often allowing them to get away with more. She loved her grandchildren dearly and was known to everyone as "Me Me", a nickname given to her by her oldest grandchild.

She loved the Lord with all of her heart serving in Women's Aglow Ministries, playing piano, and singing in area churches.

Willia June enjoyed crossword puzzles and solitaire on the computer. She followed her children and grandchildren's ballgames. She taught herself how to play the piano and sang with an operatic voice. She also had an amazing gift for decorating cakes for weddings and special occasions.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, (October 6, 2016) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Larry Gibson officiating. Interment will follow the service at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, (October 6, 2016) from noon until service time in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Wheeler, Jordan Wheeler, Austin Sthole, Forrest Abernathy, Jeff Dodson, and Josiah Daniels.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Willia June Russell may be made to Life Church School. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.