Vernon Russell "Russ" King, son of Floyd (1894-1963) and Nettie Ethalyn (Morse) (1896-1978) Peters, was born 28 April 1915, Perrinton, Gratiot County, Michigan. Floyd and Nettie were married 13 July 1914 Ithaca, Gratiot County and had 2 sons. They divorced and Nettie married Maral E. King 18 March 1922, East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan. Russ and his brother were, by the 1930 US Federal Census, using the surname of King instead of Peters.
Russ graduated in 1933 from Okemos High School. He married Mary Helen "Helen" King, same surname, 29 February 1936, Lansing.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 4 March 1936
The marriage of Miss Helen King of Hubbardston and Russell King of Meridian township took place February 29 at 8 o'clock at the parsonage of the Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist church, the Rev. Thomas Toy officiating. Miss Margaret King, a cousin of the bridegroom, and Robert King, his brother, were the only attendants. The bride wore royal blue moire taffeta, and Miss King wore rust-colored crepe. Mr. King is a graduate of Okemos high school with the class of 1933. They will make their home in Meridian township.
Russ and Helen had 3 children, the youngest a son named James. In 1959 James and a neighborhood friend were playing with water-pistols. The rough-housing grew n intensity and ut of control. A revolver became involved and James was accidently shot. He died on the way to the hospital.
Helen, born 20 June 1918, succumbed to a heart attack 28 June 1966. Russ married Mabel M. (Wilkinson) Nicholsen 16 October 1967. Mabel, born 14 July 1914, Ingham County, died 26 December 1988. Russ died 18 June 1991, Lansing.
Russ, Helen, Mabel and James were all interred Glendale Cemetery, Okemos.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 20 June 1991
V. RUSSELL KING
WILLIAMSTON
Age 76, died June 18, 1991 in Williamston. He was born April 28, 1914 in Perrinton, MI. Russ owned and operated a service station between Okemos and Williamston for many years and was employed at Vanetter Hardware for many years. He was a life member of Okemos Lodge #252 F. & A.M. He was preceded in death by 2 wives, Helen in 1966 and Mabel in 1988. Surviving are special friend, Arlone Snider; 3 daughters, Sondra Woodard, Jackie Haves and Linda Barnes; 1 son, Larry Nicholson; 10 grandchildren, Eric Snyder, Todd, Robert and Tina Gorman, Kurt, Michael, David and William Barnes, Teresa Shireman and Ann Clothier; numerous great grandchildren. Services will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. at the Gorsline-Runciman Williamston Chapel with the Rev. George V. Harris, Pastor of the Perry Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Interment will be in Glendale Cemetery, Okemos.