Herbert Keith Russell

IN MEMORY OF: Herbert Keith Russell Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois Herbert Keith Russell, 82, of Carbondale passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Herb was born July 6, 1943, to Harold Russell and Velva Mae (Davison) Russell in Shelbyville, IL. He graduated in 1960 from Stewardson-Strasburg High School, Strasburg, IL. After receiving a B.S. degree in English from Eastern Illinois University (1964), he moved to Carbondale to study English and received both a M.A. degree (1966) and a PhD (1977) from Southern Illinois University. He taught in SIU’s English Department for a few years and worked as an Editorial Writer and Technical Editor for the Coal Research Center before becoming the Executive Director for College Relations at John A. Logan College from 1985-2005. Herb was a college teacher, editor, and writer as well as a literary scholar and Illinois historian. He has been acknowledged as the foremost authority on Edgar Lee Masters and published the definitive biography of Edgar Lee Masters (University of Illinois Press). He also contributed numerous articles on Edgar Lee Masters in scholarly journals and reference works, such as, the Encyclopedia of American Literature, Dictionary of Midwestern Literature, and the Dictionary of Literary Biography, American Poets, 1880-1945. He loved Southern Illinois and wrote or edited several Southern Illinois University Press books which highlighted the beauty and resources of the area. These included A Southern Illinois Album: Photographs of the Farm Security Administration, 1936-1943; Southern Illinois Coal, A Portfolio; The State of Southern Illinois: An Illustrated History; and Fluorspar Mining: Photos From Illinois and Kentucky, 1905-1995. Herb was often asked to speak at various conferences and meetings about his Masters research or the history of Southern Illinois. It was especially gratifying to have the SIU University Museum present an exhibition of photographs in 2013 from The State of Southern Illinois: An Illustrated History which featured not only his photos but those of Shannon Woodworth, David Hammond, and Brian DeNeal. This exhibit was repeated at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Collinsville, IL. He received many accolades throughout his life, most notably, the Newberry Library Fellow award and several Superior Achievement Awards from the Illinois State Historical Society. Along with his scholarly pursuits, Herb enjoyed being outside and could often be found planting trees, clearing brush, or just walking his various properties with a cup of coffee in hand. He valued higher education and took pride in his daughter working for a Big Ten institution, the University of Iowa. Due to his vast and varied knowledge, he was the team member everyone wanted for family Trivial Pursuit games. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Thyra K. Russell; daughter, Alicia Mae Joens and her husband, Justin Joens; grandson, Preston Joens; step grandson, Donald Joens and his wife Marcy and their daughters, Rose and Lila; brother, James Russell; sisters-in-law, Suva Vincent and Sharalee (Rick) Dowd; and nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, John T. and Melba Mae Middlesworth, and his best friend, Larry Von Behren. The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the SIH Cancer Institute, Carbondale Memorial Hospital, and Manor Court (Bounce Back Program) for their support. Herb often commented on how well he was treated by his healthcare providers. Memorials may be made to the Southern Illinois University Foundation, specifically, the SIU Press or Morris Library Special Collections Research Center. Graveside service will be held at a later date. Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Herbert Keith Russell

July 6, 1943 - February 28, 2026