Russell Dean McGahey, 56, passed away unexpectantly on February 25, 2022 in the ER at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.
He was born the son of Fred and Joni (Landon) McGahey on August 9, 1965 in Galesburg, Illinois.
He was survived by his sisters, Brenda (Jerry) Reynolds and Chrissy (Otis Taylor) McGahey; one nephew, Jacob McGahey and one niece, Katey (Chris) Bartholomew; three grand-nieces and one grand-nephew as well as one aunt; two uncles; and many cousins. He is also survived by his two beloved chihuahuas, Frankie and Poppy (whom he considered his kids). He is preceded in death by his mother and father; maternal and paternal grandparents; several aunts and uncles; and a few cousins.
He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1983 and attended Carl Sandburg College and Illinois State University. After a variety of interesting jobs, he earned his CDL in 2009. He was the Site Manager for McAlister Transportation.
He married Debbie Kohl in Galesburg on September 22, 2007. During their marriage, he embraced his role as husband and step-father to Matthew, Megan, and Ryan (Blayne), and grandfather to Landon, Lucy, and Liam.
Russ was a genuine, fun-loving guy. He never met a stranger and he treated his friends like family. Russ loved snowmobiling, motorcycling, traveling, and spending time with friends. He rode his Harley to and from Sturgis last summer. He loved summers at Lake Bracken as a kid and pontooning at Oak Run as an adult. He was a member of the Prairie Drifters Snowmobile Club, a volunteer for the Knox County Snowmobile Search and Rescue and participated in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics several times. With his passing, he became a donor for Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network.
Cremation will be accorded. A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Galesburg. A Celebration of Life will be held at Big Catz Barbeque in Knoxville on Sunday, March 20 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. with a few memorial tributes given by friends around 3:00 p.m. All friends and family are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Knox County Snowmobile Search and Rescue or to the Knox County Humane Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
