Ralph Bradford Russum CHESTERTOWN - Ralph Bradford Russum, 90, of Chestertown, Md., passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at Chestertown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born on January 16, 1920 in Roberts, Md., he was oldest of ten children of the late Layton Wesley and Mammie Holden Russum. On his seventeenth birthday he entered the Maryland National Guards in Centreville, Md., where he was later inducted into the Federal Service. During his tenure with the Army, he proudly served his county in WWII and the European Theatre with K Company, 29th Division, 115th Infantry. On January 16, 1980 he received his Honorable Discharge from the United States Army. As a young boy, Ralph worked on his uncle's farm to help support his younger siblings. On September 6, 1947 he married Mary Alice Mulford. Working for his wife's grandfather he became a carpenter by trade. Throughout his life Ralph worked full-time for various businesses, Todd's Furniture, Harry Tucker, Omar Thompson, Washington College and Adkins Lumber Company. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling to California, working out with members of the Healthy Hearts Club and Cardiac Rehab, taking walks and especially loved being a Red Cross Volunteer at Chester River Hospital Center. Always young at heart, Ralph took computer classes and started dancing in his early 80's. He appeared in the 2001 Rowing Almanac for top times in the 2000 meters category. At the age of 82, he, along with eleven other WWII veterans, proudly received his High School diploma from the Kent County Board of Education. A kind and generous man, he was always helping others and never considered anyone a stranger. For many years, he was a member of the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company and Kent & Queen Annes Rescue Squad. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Mary Alice on December 23, 2001; a daughter, Ruby "Darlene" Russum on May 20, 2006; three sisters, Anna Mae Russum, Mary Dunning and Helen Barbosa and three brothers, Howard, Erving and Wesley Russum. He leaves many wonderful memories to his two sons and their wives, Ralph C. "Buster" Russum and Cindy of Magnolia, Del., and Phillip R. Russum and Mary Etta of Chestertown, Md.; three brothers, Calvin, Edwin and his wife, Mary Margaret and Billy and his wife, Sally Russum; two sister-in-laws, Kathryn Russum and Katherine Kressin; two grandsons, Joshua Aaron Russum and James Bradford "Brad" Russum; two granddaughters, Jennifer Lynn Russum and Antonia Christine "Toni" Thompson; two very dear friends, Maude Lucks of Dover, Del., and Denise Allen of Havre de Grace, Md.; many special nieces and nephews and dear friends, including Zoey and Axe. Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6 at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home PA, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, MD where family and friends may visit Monday evening from 7-9 p.m. Interment with full military honors will be in Chester Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Kent & Queen Annes Rescue Squard, P. O. Box 126, Chestertown, MD 21620-0126; Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, P. O. Box 296, Chestertown, MD 21620-0296 or to Chester Cemetery, P. O. Box 164, Chestertown, MD 21620-0164 Arrangements by Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, Middletown, DE. On-line condolences may be sent to www.daniels-hutchison.com 302-378-3410