Russell James Crosley

Russell James Crosley, age 57, of Crofton, Nebraska, died unexpectedly on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton, South Dakota, with Reverend Jeff Otterman officiating. Burial will be in the Crofton City Cemetery in Crofton, Nebraska. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota.

Russell James Crosley was born April 7, 1968, to Lawrence and Dorothy (Randa) Crosley. He grew up and attended school in Newcastle, Nebraska, until the third grade when his family moved to Crofton, Nebraska. He graduated from Crofton High School in 1986 and then attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management in 1991. Throughout and after college, Russ worked with his dad at Crosley Sand and Gravel. After his father passed, Russ took over the family business. He continued operations until 2007, then began working for Ace Hardware in Yankton. Russ worked for Ace Hardware for 18 years and was currently one of the managers at the store. He married Melissa Weisser on April 5, 1997, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton. Together they had two sons, Tanner and Cody, who were born in 1998 and 2001.

Russ was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan paying attention to everything from pregame to postgame. He enjoyed golfing and bowling while his boys were young, but as they got older he spent his free time coaching and watching them in their sports. Russ was an excellent problem solver and could fix just about anything, he was the first person to call. He loved spending time with his boys and grandkids. Russ will be most remembered as a selfless person who was always taking care of his family.

Survivors include his wife, Melissa Crosley of Crofton, Nebraska; two sons: Tanner (Hannah) Crosley of Osmond, Nebraska and Cody Crosley of Eagle Mountain, Utah; two grandchildren: Adeline and Harvey; brother, Allan Crosley of Crofton; nephew, Riley Crosley and two nieces: McKenzie and Megan Weisser.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.