Eastlake Celebrates Its Seniors--John Russ--May 2011

If you were to ask John Russ where he lives in Eastlake, his reply would be, "Go to home plate at the Captains stadium, look down third base, continue looking out past left field and after about a half-mile down the street you will come to my home." When he moved in around 1956 the street was called Manley. It was one of the few streets that would take you directly from Vine Street to Stevens Boulevard. They have now given it the name of East 354th Street.

He remembers Vine Street being lined with bricks that resembled loaves of bread. There was a bar located on the corner of his street later called Beanies. It is gone now with the addition of the Walgreens Drug store. He likes the store being there. It is convenient for his use and he finds the employees who work there very friendly. He was surprised that they were able to get an exit onto Route 91. That helps to keep the traffic off his street. He doesn't mind the fireworks on Fridays from the Captain's Stadium. He seldom hears them. He spoke about the junkyard owned by Mr. Gates. It ran from Stevens Boulevard back into the street that is now occupied by Route 91. For some time there had also been a used car lot and a junk yard that entered from Vine Street where the new Walgreens is today. People don't seem to buy junk parts today like they did back then. Both of these yards are now gone.

He has tried ordering his medicine online, but it only caused him to fret. He was always wondering when it would come, did the order go through correctly and did he really remember to order it. It is just much simpler to go to Walgreens and get it. Back in 1956, he used to go to a drugstore located in the shopping center that houses the Wing House. He also remembers Biagio's being one of the few pizza makers in the area. He still enjoys them today.

John Russ was born Dec 4, 1924, in a house located by 64th Street and Glass Avenue. Glass Avenue has since had its name changed to Lausche Drive. His parents who married in Cleveland were both of Slovenian descent. His father immigrated here in 1905. His surname had been spelled Rus, but it was changed to Russ in the confusion of documentation. His mother was Margaret Steblaj. He had a brother who died at birth and a sister, Mary. The family relocated across the street from St. Francis School in 1927. John graduated from East Tech High School in 1943. He had been drafted into the Army before he graduated from high school, but the government let him finish before he was inducted. John did not have good eyesight. He was theoretically blind without his glasses. Instead of sending him into combat the Army trained him to make false teeth. He was in the 229th General Hospital. A general hospital was one that was located in a real building, not a tent or battlefield. He was kept in the States until 1945 when he was sent to Valenciennes, France. He remembers that he was given a week's leave and was able to go to the Riviera. It was beautiful. In May of the same year his group was placed onto the newly built ship called the General Aultman. It left Marseille France and headed through the Straits of Gilbraltar down to the Carribean. He did not work on teeth at this time. He was placed on "KP" duty and helped to feed the men on board. Because of his duties he was often allowed to go ashore. The ship traveled through the Panama Canal on to Papua New Guinea. It later went to port in the Manilla Bay of the Phillippines. John had now been involved in the largest troop movement over the longest distance for any ship at that time. The ship had transported more than 5,000 men. He was taken off of this ship and moved to Nagoya, Japan. This was about 150 miles south of Tokyo. The war had ended. Here is where they finally set up their false teeth shop. He had acquired so many points from being overseas and in so many places by ship that after a few months he was discharged. He has been a member of the VFW in Willoughby for 40 years.

Upon returning to the States he dated his future wife, Katheryn Phillips, for six years. They were married in 1956 shortly before moving to their only home in Eastlake. On Memorial Day the family would still gather near the old homestead by St. Francis for mass. Then John would march in the parade.

Mr. Russ worked for Sears and Roebuck for 31 years. He began in Cleveland in the automotive parts dept. When Shoregate opened their Sears store he was happy because it cut down on the time and cost of his travel to work. This Sears store was located for many years in the building now occupied by Marc's.

After 52 years of marriage Kathryn died from heart complications. The couple had one daughter, Mrs. Karen Scheel , who is currently residing in Eastlake. Mr. Russ has five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Some of his fond memories of living in this area with his family involve St. Justin Marytr and their church picnics. He remembers when they used to have them at the Mahon Dude Ranch. This was located where the Chagrin River Reservation is today. One such picnic must have had over 1,000 people in attendance. He had also worked for Gene Walker at the Eastlake Drive-In. On Sundays they were allowed to bring their families for free. Mainly he helped with directing the traffic in and out at closing.

John Russ enjoys living in Eastlake. He feels that the city is making changes that are in the right direction. He only wishes that he didn't have to pay to have his garbage picked up.

EASTLAKE CELEBRATES ITS SENIORS