Russell Newburn

May 12, 1938 - June 28, 2017

Russell Newburn, 79, of Alliance, died on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at 3:25 p.m. at Alliance Community Hospital in Alliance, Ohio. Born on May 12, 1938 in Alliance, Ohio to Harry and Marie (Zumbrennen) Newburn, he was a life resident of the Alliance area. A 1956 graduate of Alliance High School, Mr. Newburn was graduated from Mount Union College in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and from Ashland College in 1981 with a Master of Education degree. His music teachers included Miss Fern Miller, piano, Mr. F. Broadus Staley, organ, and Miss Eva Lee Sackett, music theory and choral singing. A career school teacher, Mr. Newburn retired in 1991 after thirty-two years of service in the Marlington Local School District. He was currently a member of First Immanuel United Church of Christ, where he was currently serving as Director of Choirs, a position which he has held since 2007. He previously was a member for many years at Science Hill United Church of Christ and served as choir director and organist for many years. He also served as the director of handbells from 1989 - 2006. He was also the choir director and organist for the Vine Street United Methodist Church from 1972-2002. Mr. Newburn is a member of the Alliance Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, the Canton Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and the Musicians National Network of the United Church of Christ. He is also an active member of the Alliance Kiwanis Club, the Alliance Music Study Club, Alliance Area Retired Teachers Association, and the Alliance Area Concert Association. He enjoyed reading, traveling, history and genealogy. He is survived by a son, Timothy Phlieger of Alliance; three grandchildren; a sister, Barbara (Richard) Fryan of Green Valley, AZ; a brother, Kenneth Newburn of Alliance; a sister, Joyce (Jack) Cleghorn of CA; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; and a sister, Frances Aikens. The family will receive friends at Walton-Schrader Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 5, 2017, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. His Funeral Services will be held at First Immanuel United Church of Christ on Thursday, July 6, 2017, at 11:00 am. with Neal Mann officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Fairmount Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Immanuel United Church of Christ, 208 E. Oxford St., Alliance, OH 44601; or to the Alliance Kiwanis Club, c/o Jim Perone, 738 Bonnieview Ave., Alliance, OH 44601. Arrangements are by the Walton-Schrader Funeral Home, 1131 West State Street, Alliance, Ohio 44601. This obituary may be viewed and condolences may be sent to the family online at www.waltonschraderfuneralhome.com