Reverend Doctor
Michaele Spitzer Russell
June 16, 1948 - September 16, 2022
Rev. Dr. Russell passed at the Manor House, Seaford, Delaware where she had resided since April 2022, after a valiant fight against cancer.
Dr. Russell is survived by her husband of 51 years, Willard T. Russell; her sister, Dr. Darlene Spitzer-Antezana; brother-in-law, Enrique Antezana; niece, Norma E. Antezana; grandniece, Delia A. Antezana; and her two fur babies, Dusty and Chirpy. She is also survived by dear personal friends, Margo and Wyatt Ellers and Dee Jones; as well as a wide circle of friends and acquaintances from her church life and VFW life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Helen Spitzer; and her maternal grandparents, Horace and Gertrude Mills, all of Laurel, Delaware.
Dr. Russell graduated from the University of Delaware with a BA in History. She taught U.S. History at Milford High School for several years. She then answered a call on her life and entered Wesley Seminary, Washington DC to study for the ministry for the United Methodist Church. She received a Master of Divinity in 1980 and Doctor of Ministry in 1984, becoming an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church, one of the new group of female ministers to be ordained. She then embarked a 20-year ministry serving on circuit churches in Delaware. During this time Dr. Russell published three religious plays and numerous articles in the United Methodist in house publication. Upon retirement from the United Methodist ministry, Dr. Russell founded a personal women's ministry, Take My Hand. She maintained this ministry for ten years, holding Tea Room discussions and fulfilling invited speaking engagements at other churches often pastored by women.
As a patriotic American, Dr. Russell turned her volunteerism to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, becoming a life member in 2005 of Greenwood Post 7478, entering on her father's service as a WWII Navy veteran. She served all the line positions for the Ladies Auxiliary for the Post and served as President for several terms. She won Outstanding President award for several years. She moved through the state level positions, culminating in becoming the state Department President. Following her Presidential year, she served as the Department of Delaware Chaplain for several years. Michaele fulfilled Chaplain duties for the VFW and in her personal life.
Dr. Russell's other life commitment to service was to the Greenwood Fire Department. She devoted 20 years of service to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fire Company.
Michaele will be sorely missed by her husband, family, and close friends.
Home going service will be held at the Greenwood Fire Department on Friday, September 23 at 1 p.m., preceded by a viewing at 12 p.m.
Donations in Dr. Russell's memory may be made to The Life Center, PO Box 878, Greenwood, DE 19950.
Arrangements are entrusted to Framptom Funeral Home - Fleischauer Chapel, Greenwood, DE.
To share memories with the family please visit www.framptom.com