Russell D. Geldersma

Russell Dewey Geldersma, age 80, of Clarksville, passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at his home. Born on September 10, 1945 in Hastings to William and Lois (York) Geldersma, he graduated high school before proudly serving in the U.S. Army as a Vietnam War veteran. He attained the rank of Specialist Fourth Class and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and his Marksman (Rifle) and Sharpshooter (Pistol) badges.

In 1977, Russell married the love of his life, Stephanie Leigh Bailey, in Grand Rapids. For nearly 48 years, they built a family grounded in love, hard work, laughter, and deep respect for one another. He cherished hunting and fishing with his family and his best buddy Jack, woodworking, tending his award-winning tomato garden, and spoiling his grandchildren. Russell approached everything in life with thoughtfulness and kindness, though he was never above baiting someone into laughing at one of his many dad jokes.

For 22 years, he worked as a construction foreman for Architectural Metals Inc., retiring in 2019. The company became a second family to him; in his free time, he would return to the shop to share stories and wisdom and to make sure the crew was doing things right.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Charlie, Mary Ellen, Donna, and Jean. Russell is survived by his wife, Stephanie Geldersma of Clarksville; his children, Melissa and Derek Sipka of Muir, Madalyn and John Schneider of Lowell, Russell and Nicole Geldersma Jr. of Saranac, and Rebecca and Cody Woodworth of Laingsburg; his stepchildren, Roger Liles of Arkansas, Penny and Orville Austin of Hastings, and Teresa Liles of Arkansas; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Burial with military honors will take place at Campbell Township Cemetery in Clarksville.