Russ Cyphers

Funeral services for Mr. Russell Eugene Cyphers, age 94, of Cookeville, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday June 12 at Dodson Chapel United Methodist Church. Rev Jackie Wheeler will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in the Dodson Chapel Cemetery in Rickman, TN. The family will receive friends from 4 - 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home and again Wednesday from 9 a.m. until service time at the church. Mr. Cyphers passed away Sunday evening, June 9, 2019 at NHC of Cookeville. He was born February 27, 1925 in Alpha, OH to the late Dan and Catherine Reece Cyphers. Russ served in the US Air Force (3 years as a corporal). He moved to Cookeville in 1953 and began dairy farming. He was one of the first local farmers to employ subsoil farming techniques. He was active in the Putnam County Soil Conservation District and Cattleman's Association. Russ spent countless hours in service to his community through various emergency organizations and local government boards. He began a career in emergency services in the late 50's starting with the Putnam County Rescue Squad where he served for over 40 years with 27 years as Chief and later as an EMT with Putnam County EMS. He was also instrumental in establishing the Putnam County Fire Dept. He served multiple terms as Justice of Peace with Putnam County Quarterly Court and later the Putnam County Commission. Russ was a sports fanatic as well. He organized and coached the first basketball team at Bangham School. He was a founding member of the Beagle Club. Russ and his late wife, Christine, were long time members of Dodson Chapel United Methodist Church. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Danny Lewis, Melanie and Randy Porter; grandchildren, Paige Porter and Christopher Lewis; great-granddaughter, Avery Lynn Porter; and sister-in-law, Nancy Curtis, all of Cookeville. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Christine Curtis Cyphers; sister, Edith McCormick; and brother, Danny Cyphers. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Putnam County Rescue Squad, EMS, and Fire Department. Memorial contributions may be made to Putnam County Rescue Squad (700 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501). Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.