Russell G. Lynch, 90, of Antwerp, passed away on Monday, May 7, 2012 at his home under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Jefferson County.

Calling hours will be on Friday, May 11, 2012, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. The funeral service will be on Saturday, May 12th at 11:00 a.m. at the Antwerp United Methodist Church with Rev. David Snyder of the Philadelphia United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Gouverneur.

Russell was born on January 21, 1922 in Lowville, to the late George and Ruth (Kiesinger) Lynch. He graduated from Lowville Academy in 1940. Russell entered into the United States Army in 1942, and served until 1945, when he was wounded in action as a sergeant in Germany. Suffering a gunshot wound in the leg, he returned from Europe to New York, where he recovered and was honorably discharged as a disabled veteran. During his time in the service he received the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the New York National Guard Conspicuous Service Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, 2 Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart and the U.S. Army Combat Infantry Badge. After Russell’s service in the military he attended the Veterans Agricultural Program in Theresa.

Russell married Alice E. Lynde on August 8, 1946 at the Antwerp Congregational Church. Alice passed away on December 16, 1995. Russell worked as a Dairy Farmer at the 19L Family Farm in Antwerp for 64 years. He also worked as a Rural Letter Carrier in Antwerp from 1959 until his retirement in 1983.

He was a member and past president of the Jefferson Co. Local Chapter Rural Letter Carrier Assoc.; Indian River Grange #19, where he was past master; Eastern Milk Producers of Antwerp, where he was president; NY ABC; Antwerp American Legion Post 916 for 64 years; Lowville VFW; Clipper Club; Antwerp United Methodist Church; He served on the Republican Committee; USPS RLC for 25 years; he served on the Assessment Review Board for the Town of Antwerp; and was a former 4-H Leader. He also loved watching his sons and grandsons wrestle, traveling with his wife and traveling to the 42nd Rainbow Military Reunion, bowling, roller skating, going to the County Fair Cattle Judging, and going to local coffee shops, Custard Cottage and Jreck Subs.

He is survived by five sons and their wives, Terry R. and Carol Lynch of Gouverneur, Weldon G. Lynch of Theresa, Thomas C. and Karen Lynch of Antwerp, Charles and Monica Lynch of Philadelphia and Abel A. and Elizabeth Lynch of Antwerp; and 15 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Russell was predeceased by his wife Alice; his parents, George and Ruth Lynch; and a brother, Donald Lynch, who died in 1996.

Donations may be made in Russell’s memory to the Climb to Glory Fund, Attn: DFMWR, P.O. Box 899, Fort Drum, NY 13602; Jefferson County Hospice, 425 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601 or to a charity of ones choice.