John Raymond Lieske

John Raymond Lieske, 68, of Russellville, passed away on March 22, 2023, in his home.

John was born Sept. 18, 1954, at Putnam County Hospital to Harold and Flossie Lieske. He was a lifelong resident of Russellville.

John graduated in the class of 1976 from North Putnam High School.

He went on to work at Crawford Industries, Sommer Metalcraft and retired from Acuity Brands Lighting, where he worked in the maintenance department.

John enjoyed spending time with friends and family, fishing, being outdoors and drag racing, and he loved Mopar cars and tinkering in the garage.

John was preceded in death by his father, Harold Lieske; mother Flossie Lieske; maternal grandparents Fred and Zella Hanks; paternal grandparents John and Clara Lieske; step-grandmother Margaret Lieske; and his beloved dog, Wheeler. He was also preceded in death by his former spouse, Kristina Lieske; cousins Greg Lieske and Ted Lieske; as well as very close friends Norman Goss, Tony Goss and Jim Carter.

John’s surviving family includes daughters Kassandra Brown of Russellville and Katrina Burris of Crawfordsville; grandsons Devin and Drake Burris; siblings and their spouses, Brad and Cheryl Lieske, Fred and Patty Lieske, Karen and Brad McCloud, Lana and John Presslor, Charlene and Rick Carrington and Luann and Brian Starnes; and several nieces and nephews.

We will be holding a celebration of life to remember John on April 2 at his brother Brad’s house, 4640 W. CR 1100 North, Roachdale, IN 46172. The celebration will go from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to be made to the Russellville Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 191, Russellville, IN 46175. Donations made in John Lieske’s name will be used toward the purchase of personal protective equipment for our firefighters.