RUSSELL L. HODGE

Sept. 1, 1917 - April 9, 2007
SOUTH BEND - Russell L. "Russ" Hodge, 89, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away at home surrounded by family members on April 9, 2007, after a brief illness. He was born on September 1, 1917, in De Long, Indiana, to Leroy and Maude (Deck) Hodge.

Russ graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1935 and joined the United States Postal Service (USPS) in April 1936.

On February 26, 1938, in South Bend, IN, he married Elsie E. Versmesse, who survives. Having completed active service duty in the Army from 1942 through 1944, he returned to South Bend and his work at the USPS. He worked in various departments within the USPS and achieved the position of superintendent of collections and delivery which he held until his retirement in June 1972 after 36 years of dedicated service. Throughout his retirement years, he and his wife enjoyed traveling both domestic and abroad. Their travels found them returning to Arizona where permanent residence was established. .

Russ is survived by his wife of 69 years, Elsie, and four children, Sue Ann (Fred) Carlson of Osceola, IN, Judy (Dennis) Manges of Mesa, AZ, James (Gwen) Hodge of Phoenix, AZ, and Roy (Terri) of Irving, TX. He is also survived by two sisters, Joy (Frank) Duddleson of South Bend, IN, and Laura Tidwell of New Carlisle, IN; sister-in-law, Lucy Hodge; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Wayne Hodge, and a sister, Margaret McGaffey.

Visitation will take place on April 13, 2007, from 10 A.M. until 1 P.M. in Mountain View Mortuary, 7900 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ, followed by burial services. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014-5669.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Apr. 12, 2007.

01/29/2023 EJS