The Creator has called our beloved son, brother, uncle, great-uncle, nephew and cousin, SHELDON CHARLES RUSSELL “Lonetree” home on April 28, 2022.
Sheldon was born in Cardston, Alberta on July 7, 1965 to Angela Russell and the late Douglas Small Legs. He attended school in Cardston and on the Blood Reserve and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1987. Sheldon received his Forestry Certification/Survey Assistant in 1989 from Lethbridge Community College and helped survey highway 509 for the new road crossing the Blood Reserve. Over the years he trained for his tickets to work in the construction, concrete pouring and finishing fields as well as grader operator on the Blood Reserve. He worked as a cattle hand for Balog Auction Services amongst others. Sheldon attended Mount Royal College in Calgary where he obtained his Youth and Child Care program. After his gaining his diploma he was employed with the Calgary Friendship Centre, Wood’s Homes and William Hull Roper Family Services. Sheldon had numerous occupations over the years that included working at Ribtor Sporting Goods in Calgary, Blood Tribe Public Works, Blood Tribe Housing and Agriculture Canada Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Engineering Departing in 1992. At the time of his passing he lived in Vancouver, BC where he resided for the last 6 years.
Sheldon loved golf and won many tournaments over the years. He loved the outdoors; hiking and walking with anyone who would join him. Sheldon was a phenomenal story teller; he loved to laugh and always had a smile. Sheldon completed his four years as a Sundancer with Jordan Head. Sheldon always had people around him; he loved to meet new people and share stories. Sheldon loved to travel, he travelled throughout Canada from BC to Montreal and also throughout the United States.
Above all, he loved his family. Sheldon was raised by his mother, Angela, and grandmother, Cecile “Ittomiinima”. Sheldon often stated that his mom was his inspiration in life and was blessed to have her.
Sheldon leaves to mourn his mother, Angela, Sisters Tracy (Darin) Heninger, Kelly-Jo Russell (Maurice Manyfingers), Nieces Kershia Russell and Tanaya Heninger, Nephews Kayler Eagle Speaker, Drake (MJ) Eagle Speaker, Taran Russell, Tyler Heninger and Adopted nephew Robert Melting Tallow. Great nephew and Nieces Josiah, Jayda & Katori Medicine Crane. Uncles, Oliver Russell and Noel (Alvin) Eagle Child, Aunts Sylvia Russell and Marie Small Legs. The families of Small Legs, Healy, Davis, Calf Robe, Bullshields, Wolf Plume, Small Eyes, Crazy Boy, Many Guns, Eagle Child, Oka, and relatives from both Browning and the Crow Agency in Montana; Bird Rattler, Jefferson, Carpenter and LaForge families and special friends too numerous to mention but not forgotten.
Sheldon was predeceased by his father Douglas Small Legs, grandparents Tom & Cecile Russell, Jim & Mary Small Legs, Uncles James Russell SR and Nelson Small Legs, Aunts Charlotte Russell and Catherine Russell and Cousins Robbie and Cindy Russell along with numerous Small Legs family members, great-uncles, Frank Wolf Plume and Paul Russell; great-aunts, Jane Davis, Fanny Healy, Jenny Eagle Child, Katie Bullshields, Eva Wolf Plume, Anne Crazy Boy, Jean Calf Robe and Rosie Small Eyes.
To all the people that have shared in Sheldon’s life we thank you. The family would like to apologize to anyone that was missed; please know he loved you all and is honored to have you as his Honorary Pallbearers.
The Family Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Monday, May 16 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm. A Wake Service will follow at the Tanner Senior Centre (260 1 St W), Cardston from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Tuesday, May 17 at 11:00 am with interment to follow at the Russell Family Cemetery, Blood Reserve, AB.
Sheldon was born in Cardston, Alberta on July 7, 1965 to Angela Russell and the late Douglas Small Legs. He attended school in Cardston and on the Blood Reserve and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1987. Sheldon received his Forestry Certification/Survey Assistant in 1989 from Lethbridge Community College and helped survey highway 509 for the new road crossing the Blood Reserve. Over the years he trained for his tickets to work in the construction, concrete pouring and finishing fields as well as grader operator on the Blood Reserve. He worked as a cattle hand for Balog Auction Services amongst others. Sheldon attended Mount Royal College in Calgary where he obtained his Youth and Child Care program. After his gaining his diploma he was employed with the Calgary Friendship Centre, Wood’s Homes and William Hull Roper Family Services. Sheldon had numerous occupations over the years that included working at Ribtor Sporting Goods in Calgary, Blood Tribe Public Works, Blood Tribe Housing and Agriculture Canada Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Engineering Departing in 1992. At the time of his passing he lived in Vancouver, BC where he resided for the last 6 years.
Sheldon loved golf and won many tournaments over the years. He loved the outdoors; hiking and walking with anyone who would join him. Sheldon was a phenomenal story teller; he loved to laugh and always had a smile. Sheldon completed his four years as a Sundancer with Jordan Head. Sheldon always had people around him; he loved to meet new people and share stories. Sheldon loved to travel, he travelled throughout Canada from BC to Montreal and also throughout the United States.
Above all, he loved his family. Sheldon was raised by his mother, Angela, and grandmother, Cecile “Ittomiinima”. Sheldon often stated that his mom was his inspiration in life and was blessed to have her.
Sheldon leaves to mourn his mother, Angela, Sisters Tracy (Darin) Heninger, Kelly-Jo Russell (Maurice Manyfingers), Nieces Kershia Russell and Tanaya Heninger, Nephews Kayler Eagle Speaker, Drake (MJ) Eagle Speaker, Taran Russell, Tyler Heninger and Adopted nephew Robert Melting Tallow. Great nephew and Nieces Josiah, Jayda & Katori Medicine Crane. Uncles, Oliver Russell and Noel (Alvin) Eagle Child, Aunts Sylvia Russell and Marie Small Legs. The families of Small Legs, Healy, Davis, Calf Robe, Bullshields, Wolf Plume, Small Eyes, Crazy Boy, Many Guns, Eagle Child, Oka, and relatives from both Browning and the Crow Agency in Montana; Bird Rattler, Jefferson, Carpenter and LaForge families and special friends too numerous to mention but not forgotten.
Sheldon was predeceased by his father Douglas Small Legs, grandparents Tom & Cecile Russell, Jim & Mary Small Legs, Uncles James Russell SR and Nelson Small Legs, Aunts Charlotte Russell and Catherine Russell and Cousins Robbie and Cindy Russell along with numerous Small Legs family members, great-uncles, Frank Wolf Plume and Paul Russell; great-aunts, Jane Davis, Fanny Healy, Jenny Eagle Child, Katie Bullshields, Eva Wolf Plume, Anne Crazy Boy, Jean Calf Robe and Rosie Small Eyes.
To all the people that have shared in Sheldon’s life we thank you. The family would like to apologize to anyone that was missed; please know he loved you all and is honored to have you as his Honorary Pallbearers.
The Family Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Monday, May 16 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm. A Wake Service will follow at the Tanner Senior Centre (260 1 St W), Cardston from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Tuesday, May 17 at 11:00 am with interment to follow at the Russell Family Cemetery, Blood Reserve, AB.