Lelia Russell Saltsman

Lelia Russell Saltsman, 101, of Vienna, and formerly of Belknap, died at 12:21 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Massac Memorial Hospital in Metropolis.

Mrs. Saltsman was born on Oct. 5, 1921, in Belknap.

She learned to play piano at the age of 8 in 1929, and she and Leo Johnson, a friend, as kids, would sit on the piano bench. She played the piano for the Belknap United Methodist Church for many years. 

She loved working with her flowers and roses. Memories of her that were created will now be cherished by those who she leaves behind.

She was an active member of the Belknap United Methodist Church for over 55 years. She attended and graduated from the Belknap Grade and High School. She always loved and treasured time spent with family and friends.

Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Bettie Saltsman Kinley of Johnston City; grandchildren Steven Stiegleiter of Marion and Amy Ingersoll of Christopher; four great-grandchildren, Brittany Dangbar, Jeremy Stiegleiter, Zane Stiegleiter and Jessica Buchan; four great-great-grandchildren, Madison Dangbar, Marsea Dangbar, Justin Eaves and Spencer Ivy Stiegleiter; special nephew Carl and Margaret Cameron of Vienna; two great-nieces, Rhonda O’Neal of Ozark and Sherry Walker of Belknap; a special great-great-niece, Alyssa Jones; sister-in-law Decca Russell of Sullivan; four generations of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Scerial “Skeet” Saltsman (1988); one son, John Aubrey Saltsman (1985); her parents, John and Murvey Richardson Russell; six sisters, Mary Almeda Russell, Helen Russell, Violet Naomi Russell, Ida Mae Russell, Margaret Ellen Russell and Alice Olvina Russell; and two brothers, Samuel Ambrose Russell and Forest Ovid Russell.

Funeral services honoring the life of Mrs. Lelia Russell Saltsman were at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak. The Rev. Steve Heisner officiated.

Interment followed at the Masonic Cemetery in Belknap. 

Pallbearers were Steven Stiegleiter, Bill Meyers, James Short, Jeremy Stiegleiter, Jonathon Gearing and Jessica Buchan.

Memorials can be made to the Belknap Cemetery Fund and/or to the Belknap United Methodist Church. 

To leave an online message for the family or to share a memory, visit wilsonfuneralhome1928.com.

Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak was in charge of arrangements.