Walter Russell "Russ" Wernex, 88 Harrisonville, MO, died Friday, January 23, 2009 at St Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, MO. Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville. The family will receive friends Monday, January 26 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the chapel. Masonic services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to The Shriner Hospital for Children, 2001 South Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131.

Russ was born August 27, 1920 in Parker, Kansas, the son of George V. and Eva Leona (Marshall) Wernex. He was united in marriage to Norma L. Gillis on March 7, 1945 in Olathe, Kansas. In 1953 they moved to Harrisonville to manage the Carnegie Farm. Russ also owned and operated the Sunnyside Dairy in Harrisonville and in 1966 was elected County Clerk for Cass County, MO; a position he held for 24 years.

Russ was a member of the Harrisonville United Methodist Church and was the past president of the Harrisonville Lions Club. He had served as president of the rural school #36 school board. Russ was a 50-year member of Cass Masonic Lodge #147 in Harrisonville and was a member of Ararat Shrine in Kansas City. He was a member and past president of the Cass County Shrine Club and was a member and past director of the Cass County Shrine Club "Wildcats" precision motorcycle team.

Russ is survived by his wife, Norma, of the home; two sons, William "Bill" Wernex, Harrisonville and Jimmie Wernex, Archie, MO; a daughter, Patsy L. Trent, Glendale, Arizona; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.