Russell E. Swanson, 85, of Ashville, NY, passed away on Monday, October 6, 2025, in his sleep at Heritage Green Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing in Greenhurst.

Russell was born October 22, 1939 and grew up in Jamestown, NY. He is the son of the late Lawrence and Doris Swanson. He married his high school sweetheart Constance Hickok, who passed away in 2020 after 59 years of marriage.

He was a 1957 graduate of Jamestown High School and continued to be active in the Sigma Chi fraternity. He was also a graduate of University of Kentucky with a BS in Metallurgical Engineering.

Russell worked for more than 24 years at Babcock Wilcox tubular products division in Beaver Falls, PA, later at Standard Steel in Lewistown, PA followed by multiple refractory and steel mill product companies before starting his own business in Cranberry Twp, PA. In 2008, Russell and Constance built their dream home and returned to Chautauqua Lake / Jamestown area that they loved.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Jamestown and the Norden Club of Jamestown. He had a strong passion for boating, plants, fishing, bird watching, tools, guns, and efficiency. He volunteered at The Lawson Center boat museum, the Scandinavian culture days, and at the Swedish Summer Festival.

Surviving are his sister Barbara (David) Chall and brother Jerry (Kathy) Swanson; his two daughters, Susan (Brian) Mlacker of Jamestown and Jill (Brian) Rexroad of Oak Ridge, NJ; his son, Scott (Jeanine) Swanson of Cranberry Township, PA; six grandchildren: Heather (Justin) Conti of Kennedy, NY, Brett (Brittany) Mlacker of Ashville, Rachel and Caralyn Rexroad both of Oak Ridge, NJ, Allen (Amanda) Swanson of Mars, PA, and Adam Swanson of Beaver, PA, as well as nine great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Russell's sister Marcia (Reinold) Nelson passed away in 2024.

Friends will be received on Friday, Oct. 10 from 3-7 pm in the Lind Funeral Home, 805 West Third St. Jamestown, NY 14701. The funeral service will be held on Saturday Oct. 11 at 10:00 am at Lind Funeral home. Rev. Timothy Hoyer will officiate. Burial will be following the service in the Sunset Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St, Jamestown, NY 14710 or to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd. Jamestown, NY 14701.