Lifelong Cheyenne and Sherman County, Kansas resident Russell Coppoc Briney, 81, died Wednesday, May 21, 2014, in Goodland at Good Samaritan Society—Sherman County.
He was born June 2, 1932, at Bird City, Kansas, the son of Eva Lorena (Coppoc) and Percy Walker Briney. He attended country schools and graduated from Sherman Community High School in Goodland with the class of 1950.
On June 6, 1954, he and Mary Ann Roller were married at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Goodland, and they made their home in rural Sherman County. His memberships included Emmanuel Lutheran Church and church council, and he served as a 4-H leader.
Preceding him in death were granddaughter Ashley Zelfer, great-grandson Jayden Lee Smith, and his parents.
Surviving family includes his wife Mary Ann Briney; children Steve Briney and his wife Pat, all of Goodland; Mike Briney and his wife Dianna of Hays; Scott Briney; Sondra Smith and her husband Bob; Diane Zelfer and her husband Sam, all of Goodland; eleven grandchildren Stephanie Briney, David Briney and his wife Danielle, Kristin Herl and her husband Jeremy,
Allan Briney, Chris Smith and Gwen Robinson, Nick Smith and his wife Alexa, Michelle Roe and her husband Blake, Nathaniel Smith and Stephanie Doyle, Brandon Zelfer and his wife Andrea, Dustin Zelfer and Cathy Crammer, and Kate Zelfer; seven great-grandchildren Kamryn, Brinley, and Daxton Zelfer; Quinn Herl, Alexis Gatz, Bentley Smith, and Clayton Crammer; siblings Ruth Ross and her husband Chet of Goodland; Louise Hanable and her husband Hal of Glendale, California; Evalyn Berndt and her husband Kenny of Salina; Dwight Briney and his wife Kathy of Edson; and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Tuesday, May 27, at 10:30 AM MT, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Goodland, with burial following in the Goodland Cemetery.
Friends may share their respects on Monday, from 3:00 until 7:00 PM MT, at Koons Chapel in Goodland.
Memorials may be designated to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Pipe Organ Fund, and may be left at or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735-1555.
Online condolences: www.koonsfuneralhome.com