Russell Gordon Wells , 91, of rural Columbia City, died peacefully at the home of his daughter in Columbia City at 9:35 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Born on August 3, 1932, in Bluffton, Indiana, he was a son of the late John Wellington Wells and Arlene (Holbrook) Wells.  Growing up in the Leo Cedarville area, he graduated from Leo High School in 1950.

Joining the U.S. Navy in 1952, he served during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1956.

On April 12, 1957, he married Norma L. Jacobs.  They made their home in Fort Wayne until 1971, when they purchased a farm in Thorncreek Twp., Whitley County.  Norma died on Christmas Day of 2014.

Russell worked as a master electrician for Indiana and Michigan Electric Company (I&M), now American Electric Power (AEP), until his retirement in 1997.

He was fond of quarter horses and had many over the years. Although he rarely rode them, he enjoyed caring for and pampering them, leaving the riding to the kids and grandkids. He formed a special bond with his horse, Molly, greeting her with "Good Golly, Miss Molly," and a male horse, Pistol.

He was a past master of Masonic Lodge 189, Columbia City, and the Forest Lodge 239 in Butler.  He belonged to the Mizpah Shrine and the Scottish Rite, Fort Wayne.  Having a colorful and outgoing personality, he enjoyed playing the role of Santa Claus.

As a season ticket holder for the South Bend Cubs, he regularly traveled to South Bend during the baseball season.  At home, he liked to watch the birds frolic around the property.

Surviving are his children, Tamara (Tony) Wells- Thornton of Columbia City and Carl G. (Julie) Wells of Acworth, GA; grandchildren Belinda Rider, Bethany Smarker, Brytnee Heck, Brieann Wells, Samantha Wells, Eliza Wells, Natalie Wells, Isaac Wells, Becky Thornton, Michael Thornton, TJ Thorton, Ashley Thornton and Erin Denfeld; sisters, Yvonne Passwater and Janine (Marty) Erlenbaugh both of Florida; and a brother, Dennis (Sue) Wells of Florida.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by a son, Russell John Wells, and brothers, John & Noel Wells.

The visitation is from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday (April 15th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, with a Masonic service followed by a funeral service to begin at 6 p.m.  Burial is at the Greenlawn Cemetery in Fort Wayne at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Memorials in Russell's honor are to the Collins New Life Church, Heartland Hospice, or Shriners Hospitals for Children.