Russell 'Russ' Bernard Topp, 79

Russell "Russ" Bernard Topp, 79, passed away in Post Falls, Idaho, on Friday, April 14, 2006.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, in Coffelt's Funeral Chapel with military honors. Interment will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Russ was born in Sidney, Mont., on May 1, 1926, the son of Bernard and Hazel Topp. The family moved to Sandpoint, where he attended Bonner County schools and graduated from Sandpoint High School.

He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II, and graduated from barber college in Boise, Idaho. On Nov. 15, 1946, he married Veda Bosworth in Fruitland, Idaho, and they later divorced.

He worked as a barber in the Treasure Valley area of Idaho, moving to Lewiston, Idaho, in 1964. He continued cutting hair until his retirement in 1975. On Nov. 2, 2000, he married Theresa Bourassa in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Russ was a member of the American Legion in Lewiston and a former member of the Eagles Lodge. He enjoyed playing his guitar and singing country and western songs. For many years, he played with the Banana Belt Fiddlers, the Old Time Fiddlers and the Washington Fiddlers. He enjoyed fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa Topp of Lewiston; seven children, Edward Topp of Spirit Lake, Idaho, Debra Nail of Lewiston, Gail Rawls of Caldwell, Idaho, Sonia Hebert of Post Falls, Idaho, Carl Topp of Genesee, Idaho, Steven Topp of Lewiston and Cecil Topp of Jackson, Wyo.; seven step-children, including Christopher Bourassa of Spokane, Wash., and Michael Bourassa of Spokane; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and a brother.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.