Died: Sunday, November 06, 2005

Age: 84

Russell “Uncle Russ’’ Viermann, 84, died Nov. 6 at de Greeff Hospice House.

He was born in St. Louis and attended Cleveland High School — now called the Cleveland Junior Naval Academy.

Mr. Viermann enjoyed bicycling and bicycle racing as a youth. He remained active in St. Louis biking throughout his life. In 1982, Mr. Viermann and his wife, the late Mary Ann Richard Vier-mann, rode a tandem bike across Mis-souri to raise money for the 1982 Olympics.

Mr. Viermann participated in converting the former Burlington Railroad tracks through the Black Hills of South Dakota into the George S. Mickelson Trail during the 1990s. He volunteered his construction skills as he helped build bridges and paths for the trails.

He was a member of Bricklayers and Plasterers Union of St. Louis for more than 50 years. His grandfather, August Viermann, founded the Viermann Brick-laying Co.

Mr. Viermann was a charter member of Mehlville Optimist Club, Rails to Trails, the George Mickelson Founda-tion and owner/operator of Corky’s Nur-sery School.

Mr. Viermann served in the Navy in World War II, stationed in the Pacific.

He was a longtime council member of St. Johns Evangelical United Church of Christ. He also enjoyed sailing and trout fishing.

Survivors include his twin daughters, Mary Berg and Peggy Leon; sister, Virginia Potter; brother, Ed Viermann; former wife, Betty L. Harsel-Viermann; and three grandchildren.

Services were conducted at St. Johns Evangelical United Church of Christ. Visitation was at Fey Funeral Home. Bur-ial was in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.