Russ Maples, Good Man

Everything you'll read about Russ Maples is true. My best friend, ages 5-10, is his son Denny Maples. We moved and my relationship with the Maples family became distant. Russ treated us fairly, and as kids we all knew we'd get a square deal whether we were caught red-handed doing what we shouldn't be or if we deserved congratulations for an act of good citizenship or athletic feat. Rest in Peace Good Russ.

Maples, Russell Dale Lansing, MI Russell Dale Maples died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 after a brief and courageous battle with kidney cancer. Russ was born on February 27, 1925 in Imlay City, Michigan and in the midst of a stellar high school athletic career, enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942, at the age of seventeen. He piloted a B-24, "Unfinished Business", flying 52 missions in the European Theatre. He then attended Bowling Green State University, where he was a standout quarterback in the late 1940's. His career as coach, teacher, and central administrator for the Lansing School District lasted nearly forty years. His beloved Sexton "Big Reds" were Class A state football champions in 1961 and 1963. Russ was inducted into the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. He served in many civic organizations, including as president of the Lansing Boys Club. Russ was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Mae. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Marilyn Maples; his children, Dennis (Jenny), Dayle (David Kampfschulte), and Mike (Lori); his grandchildren, Kris, Kory, and Gage Maples, Kevin and Annie Kampfschulte, and Kinzel Maples were the light of his life; and sisters, Beverly (Ed) Thomas, Barbara Crankshaw, Sandra Teetzel, and Mary Jo Maples, along with many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by hundreds of former students and athletes, whom he greatly influenced. Russ was greatly comforted and cheered by the many dear friends who visited and helped care for him in his final days. He was an avid downhill skier and golfer and spent the winter of his 80th birthday skiing in Michigan and in the West. He cherished deeply the countless hours spent with his friends and family on the ski slopes and golf courses over the years. He was a skilled builder and carpenter and enjoyed helping friends with many projects. The family would like to thank the medical staff at Dr. Larry Pawl's office, the staff at Spectrum Health, Butterworth Hospital, the staff at Ingham Visiting Nurse and Home Hospice Services, and the staff of Home Instead Senior Care, for their excellent and compassionate care given over the past three months. A service to celebrate Russ's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 4, 2005 at Delta Presbyterian Church, 6100 W. Michigan Ave., Lansing, with the Rev. Dr. Alfred D. Deutsch officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ingham Hospice Services of Michigan or the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing.