Former Fayette, Mo. resident and law enforcement officer Russell Zellner, 82, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2025, at Westbury Senior Living in Columbia, Mo.

Henry Russell Zellner, Sr. was born on April 28, 1942, in Independence, Mo. He was one of two children born to the late Henry W. and Myrtle E. (Glenn) Zellner. He graduated from Grain Valley High School with the class of 1960. Following graduation, Russell attended mechanic school in Kansas City. On November 5, 1965, Russell married his loving wife of 59 years, Marcella Evelyn (Heffner) Zellner. Marcella preceded him in death on February 15, 2024.

Russell was a hard-working man, being a lifelong farmer, spending over 50 years in law enforcement, and working for the Department of Natural Resources. He started his law enforcement career at Lake Tapawingo. Russell then served as City Marshall at Windsor for 15 years and then the Pettis County Sheriff’s Department for five years. He ended his law enforcement career as a deputy for the Howard County Sheriff’s Department. Russell worked as a Park Ranger on the Katy trail for the Department of Natural Resources and then went on to serve as a maintenance supervisor at Rock Bridge, Finger Lakes, and in Boonville. Russell was a member of the First Christian Church and enjoyed volunteering his time with his wife, Marcella, at the Fayette Food Pantry.

Survivors include his two children, H.R. Zellner, Jr. of Warrensburg, Mo. and Marian Zellner-Evers of Columbia, Mo.; one granddaughter, Tristn Zellner-Evers of Columbia, Mo.; and a sister, Glenda Sue Johnson of Williamsville, Ill.

A memorial service honoring the life of Russell Zellner will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Fayette, Mo. Visitation will be held two hours before the service, starting at noon at the funeral home. Private inurnment will be held at Blue Springs Cemetery in Blue Springs, Mo.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Fayette First Christian Church or the Fayette Food Pantry.