Russell W. Salmans

Russell W. Salmans, 51, of Glendale, passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2008. . Visitation will be held on Monday, September 29th from 5:00 pm â€" 8:00 pm at Stephens Family Chapel in Grants Pass. Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, September 30th at 10:30 am at the Canyonville Seventh-day Adventist Church. Interment will follow at Glendale Memorial Cemetery. Russ was born March 17, 1957 to Vern and Olena Salmans in Riverside, California. His family moved to Jacksonville, Oregon in 1964, where he graduated from Medford High School. Russ loved everything mechanical. He attained a degree in motorcycle mechanics. Shortly thereafter, he began racing professionally. He was Oregon State Champion in flat track motorcycle racing, 1974-1976. As Russ would say: “Yamaha Rules.” Russ belonged to the Canyonville Seventh Day Adventist Church where he worked with the audio-visual department during services. He was also a staff member with the Pathfinder club. Russ never met anyone that he didn’t like or wouldn’t pray for. Once you met Russ, you had a friend for life. In addition to Barb, his wife of nine years, whom he loved more than she will ever know, he is survived by three children, Brad Salmans of Medford, OR, Kellie Duste (husband Matt) of Central Point, OR, and Jacob Salmans, who is currently a freshman at Milo Adventist Academy. He is also survived by three grandchildren Tony, Emily, and Nicole, stepmother Gertrude Salmans of Yreka, CA; stepsiblings Darrell, Gail and Carolyn, his mother and father-in-law Burton and Karen Conn of Lewis, IA, Laurie Dan Fox of Medford, OR, and their children Gary Bixby, Jennifer and Bryan Sulpizio, and grandson Ryan, Joani and David Veenstra of Chicago, IL, and their children Jessica, Matthew and Hannah, Judy and Brian Folkers, also from Chicago, and their children Haylee and Jackson, and nieces, nephews and friends to numerous to mention (but please know he loved each of you). Russ was preceded in death by his Parents Vern and Olena and his brother Ritchie. Russ may you peacefully rest in the arms of Jesus. We Love and Miss YOU!!! Memorials are set up in Russ’s memory for Barb at Umpqua Bank and at Milo Adventist academy for Jake’s tuition.