Obituary

Russell J. Blattner, MD, 94, Lutherville, Maryland, died December 6, 2002. He was born July 3, 1908 at St. Louis, Missouri, son of Lydia and Rudolf Blattner. Dr. Blattner met his wife, Marian Edith Koeneke, daughter of Rev. Albert and Edith Koeneke and sister of Dr. Irene A. Koeneke at the Eden Methodist Church in St. Louis, Missouri.

Soon after the Albert Koenekes moved to Halstead where he served as pastor at the United Methodist Church, Rev. Koeneke married Russell and Marian Koeneke on June 24, 1939 at the church in Halstead.

Dr. Irene A. Koeneke was also a resident of Halstead following her marriage to Dr. Arthur Hertzler. Dr. Blattner visited Halstead often and was a former homneowner. He is a board member of the Kansas Learning Center for Health in Halstead.

He was a world famous pediatrician, founded the internationally renowned Texas Chiodren's Hospital in Houston, Texas and was the chairman and professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

He is survived by two sons, Frederick R. Blattner, Ph,D, Madison, Wisconson and William A. Blattner, M.D., Lutherville, Maryland;

A memorial service will be Saturday, December 21, 2002 at the Kansas Learning Center for Health. Burial will be in the Family Cemetery lot in Halstead Cemetery.