Obituaries & Guestbook

Still missing you, and hard to believe I can no longer talk for hours with you anymore. My heart still aches and my tears still flow. I talk to you every day and hope you are near and able to hear me. May you rest in piece dear friend, and see you someday on the other side!

Russell wrote an important history of his and my family. I am so sorry that I was aware of this only in May this year and was unable to reach him at that time. I am hoping to make contact with the family. Stephen Hayden, Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Russ was a good friend and fun person to be around. He was one of our special phonograph and music collectors. His jokes and stories were infectious and always made you laugh. He had a great collection of music collectibles and loved to share it, as well as all his experiences with others. It was a fun time visiting him last year with two other collector friends of mine at his home. He was always so proud to show his love for history and made sure to do so by displaying it in and on the house he enjoyed. He will be greatly missed but not forgotten. Miss you my friend.....

My dearest sympathies to Russ' family. I worked with him at Heritage Insurance and truly enjoyed his love of antiques! We had many laughs and fun times together when Russ, Tim, Amy and I would share breaks and sometimes a few cocktails together after work, RIP Russ!

I am very sorry to hear this. Russ was a true friend to those lucky enough to call him a friend. He was a great guy who will forever be remembered as a student of history and mechanical master. He combined those two together in all of his work and hobbies. I first met Russ while we were both demonstrating old-time letterpress printing at an event at the Sheboygan County Historical Museum. Six years later I had the honor to work with him at Zimmermann. Russ was a remarkable guy who shared his time and knowledge. It was a privilege to know him. He will be missed.

Russ was a generous and kind friend who graciously shared his beautifully furnished 19th century home and his wonderful mechanical music collection with many visitors. Russ seemed capable of repairing and restoring anything mechanical, but despite his many talents, he was always modest. I will always cherish his dry sense of humor and his reminiscences of discovering and restoring antique phonographs and mechanical organs. The phonograph shows will never be quite the same without Russ. I will miss him mightily.

Russ was kind to his friends and worked diligently to preserve historical information and artifacts. We very much enjoyed our association with him through the Sheboygan County Historical Society and Museum. We will miss him and his interesting messages in his historical Christmas cards. Betty and Cal Potter

So sad to find out that Russ has passed away I worked with him at Heritage/Acuity. The photo of him is so appropriate. My sympathy to his entire family.

Great guy! Former student of mine at South .Great student, friendly personality; Enjoyed talking with him in subsequent years. Very sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for your lose, Kathy and Tracy.

Hi Kathy and Tracy, I just heard about Russ's passing. My condolences. He was a unique character and we've been friends since grade school. We understood each other and always enjoyed catching up on the phone or when I was in Sheboygan. His house is full of treasures and I was wondering how you will handle all that. Please let me know if or how I can help. Please call me at 404-276-0232

Russ was an extremely unique and wonderful person. We met while employed by a common employer about 40 years ago and have been friends since. In addition to being a genuinely good and caring person, Russ was also a mechanical genius! While music machines were a particular passion, he could fix anything mechanical. I remember seeing Russ at the Wings and Wheels antique car and airplane show many years ago. Russ had driven his Model T Ford to the show and was displaying a small mechanical monkey which through the use of a small bellows inside the creature could actually hold a real cigarette to his lips, take a puff, then lower the paw holding the cigarette and blow a smoke ring. It was the hit of the show! At a Lakeshore Old Car Rally about 5 years ago Russ helped a couple of car owners re-start their stalled cars. Russ could look at a machine and quickly figure out how it was to work and then correct whatever situation kept it from running properly. I for one will miss your always good advice and friendship Russ. Rest in Peace my friend.

We will remember Russ as a very good friend and fellow collector of vintage phonographs and music machines. A founding member of the Wisconsin Musical Antique Society, he shared his knowledge and extraordinary abilities for restoring all types of mechanical music machines for the enjoyment of future generations. Anyone who has visited Russ’s home would be awe struck by the meticulous detail he displayed in presenting his love for historic presentation of his collecting interests. Russ was truly one-of-a-kind friend that will be missed.

Dear Russ, I feel very sorry and wish you all the best in the other world. Until we meet again. Love, Babsi

Kathy and Tracy you have my deepest sympathies! Russ was my best friend through some very tough times and I will always miss him!

My most sincere condolences to Kathy & Tracy. Russ was a great friend, decent guy and renowned builder and expert on any antique device. I will always fondly remember many weekend evenings watching videos Laurel & Hardy. It is truly sad a unique individual's life was cut short.

Russ will certainly be missed by us and so many others. He brought a unique perspective to the collecting community with his sense of humor and love of history. Always dressed in vintage attire and ready for stimulating conversation over a beer, Russ was a wealth of information on so many subjects. A bright light gone out too soon. Our sincere condolences to the entire Nery family. We’ll miss those Christmas cards, and you, Russ.

My most sincere sympathy and condolences to all of the family members of Russ, including the many other people fortunate enough to have known him. We were good friends, usually inseparable, since first grade. He was a "Brother" to us all in our family, as I was known to his. Though life gets busy, and we are all pulled in multiple directions, I always held Russ in my heart as strongly as when we were younger. I will not only miss him in my life, but yearn for his friendship the rest of my limited years here on earth. I lost a dear and cherished friend while the heavens gained a special Angel above. Again my most sincere condolences to Kathy, Tracy, and all of the family members and friends in your time of loss. May we all remember the fun and good memories, and heal as painlessly as possible, while we grieve his physical loss from our lives! Russ, YOU were one in a trillion, and so very missed already!!! May you rest in peace, pain free, and watch over us all going forward.

Russ was like family to us and was an usher in our wedding. We were fortunate to visit him at home several years ago where he taught us that it was possible to record one's voice using aluminum foil. We will miss his great sense of humor and miss learning the historic knowledge he shared. The world is better because Russ was in it. Our sincere condolences to his family.

Russ has brought joy to lives of countless people, whether through his passion for his hobbies or spending good times with friends. My sincerest cond0lences to the family. Thank you for all the memories Russ. May you rest in peace.

So sorry to hear of Russ passing...he was best man at our wedding in 1991. He was such a unique, interesting person with a dry sense of humor and I am glad I had the chance to know him. Healing thoughts and prayers for the family.

My sympathies to the Nery family. So sad to hear of his passing. I have lots of fond memories of working with Russ at Heritage, now Acuity, in the print shop. He was one of a kind!

Russ was the definition of a true friend. He will be missed. Our deepest condolences to the entire Nery family. Rest in peace, my friend. Curt Brauer