Russell W. "Sam" Hintz, age 75 of Stockton, IL, passed away Monday, August 31, 2015 at his home. Sam was born October 11, 1939, the son of Fred and Lucille (Shadle) Hintz. He married Shirley I. Yeager on December 27, 1982 in Mount Carroll. Sam grew up, went to school and lived in Lena. In 1982, he married and moved to Stockton, where he stayed for the rest of his life. Sam started working at the Lena Publishing Company while he was still in school. After several odd jobs, he was employed by Dura in Stockton until his retirement. He was an avid collector of matchbooks, old style can openers and lighters.

Sam is survived by his wife Shirley of Stockton; 4 step children- Katherine (Matt) Gray of Oregon, IL, Rondle (Jo Anne) Castle of Prescott Valley, AZ, John (Cheryl) Yeager and Cynthia (Hal) Tucker both of Stockton; brother-in-law Ed "Butch" Gollmer of Lanark, IL; sister-in-law Chong Sook Hintz of Avondale,AZ; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and his best friend Bill Staton of Lena, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Norman Hintz, and sister Kathy Gollmer.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 –8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2015 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL.

At his request a graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at the Lena Burial Park.

A memorial has been established in his name.