Russell D. Waltz M-Single-589

Russell D. Waltz, 71, of Columbus passed away Sept. 29, 2011, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis due to a stroke. Born April 25, 1940, Russell was a lifelong resident of Bartholomew County. He earned all-conference football honors for the Columbus High School Bull Dogs in 1957. He graduated from CHS in 1958 and went to work for Cummins Engine Co. in January 1959. Russell worked in various skilled trade departments at Cummins including machine repair and was part of the SyTech division when he retired in 1997. Russell was an avid auto racing enthusiast and traveled the country with friends and family to attend many of the nation's premier short-track races. He also had a passion for motorcycles and he toured many of this country's most scenic areas on two wheels including Colorado and Alaska. He was a member of the Stoney Lonesome Motorcycle Club, Loyal Order of Moose and the American Motorcyclist Association. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. Calling will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Rest Haven Cemetery in Edinburgh. The family requests causal attire for the both the calling and the funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Russell's memory to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum, One Sprint Capital Place, Knoxville, Iowa 50138. Survivors include his son, Keith Waltz of Harrisburg, NC; a sister, Marilyn Welch of Sheridan, IN; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Byron Waltz, Leroy Waltz and Norman Waltz; and sisters Lila Burfeindt, Mariam Long and Peggy Tate. www.jewellrittman.com