Russel Clayton Lehner

Russel Clayton Lehner, age 63, passed away on Monday, June 19, 2017 with his loving family by his side.

Russ is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; his four children, Erin (Scott) Zimmer, Joseph (Samantha) Lehner, Peter Lehner, and Kathryn (David) Gibson; his five grandchildren, Skyler, Kasia, and Brooklyn Lehner, and Luke and Brynn Zimmer; his brother, Dale Lehner (Patricia); his sister, Dianne (Gerald) Morrison; Uncle, Ed and Aunt Jackie Lehner; and his many nieces, nephews, friends, and co-workers.

Preceded in death by his father Clay, his mother Helen, and his Aunt Marge.

Russ was a devoted teacher for 35 years. He spent nine years teaching at Ackerman Junior High in Oregon where he also coached girls’ softball and basketball, one year at Wilmington High School and the remainder at Joliet Township High School West and Central Campuses. He taught woodworking, welding, electricity, board drafting, computer aided drafting, and Principles of Technology, a class that he created and taught in collaboration with a physics teacher.  Russ coached his sons’ baseball teams at St. Joe’s for many years. He loved bowling in the teachers’ league, fishing from a chair on the shores of Lake Will Sportsman’s Club, watching his beloved bumbling Cubs finally win a World Series and scratching off lottery tickets while watching Westerns in the comfort of his kitchen chair.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Russel’s name to Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated.

A celebration of Russel’s life will begin on Thursday, June 22, 2017 with a visitation at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.