Russell K. Fieg, 72, Dies in Vegas

Cousin  Russell K. Fieg, who threw caution to the wind in the Midwest to pursue a career in show business in the entertainment capital of Las Vegas, NV, died Thursday September 15, 2022 at age 72. 

The cause of death is awaiting determination, though he had fought cancer for a number of years.

Russell was born November 15, 1949 in Rifle, CO where his father worked in industrial mining. Shortly after his birth, Russell's family moved to Virginia and Pennsylvania, but eventually settled in Ste. Genevieve, MO in 1955, where he spent his childhood. While in school, his love for music developed, and he was in the school band as well as a rock and roll group, The Mysterians, with four other talented musicians, who performed at various dance events.

Russell attended the University of Missouri from 1967 to 1971, earning a Bachelor's degree in business administration. After college, rather than following in his father's footsteps in the mining industry, he worked for 15 years for the university in various business offices at the Columbia and the Kansas City campuses.

In 1986 he ventured west to Las Vegas, hoping to join another rock band. He bought a baby grand piano and struck out on his own playing keyboard in places such as Sam's Town in Laughlin, NV, and Palace Station and California Hotel in Vegas.

He eventually fell back on his business degree and found employment in the payroll departments of several Las Vegas casinos including The Dunes, MGM Grand, Terrible Herbst, Horseshoe Casino and Affinity Gaming.  He retired in 2018.

While his dream of becoming a performer was not realized, he did find the joys of a more traditional life in the golden West, with a 30-year marriage and the ownership of his own home.

Russell is survived by his wife Heny Swantari Fieg of Las Vegas, sister Susan Williams (Edward) of The Villages, FL, brothers Richard Fieg of Ste. Genevieve, MO, Steven Fieg (Eleanor) of Pevely, MO, and Douglas Fieg of Collinsville, IL.

He was preceded in death by his father Lothar "Bud" Fieg and mother Catherine Shafer Fieg. His mother, coincidentally, died on September 15, 1976.

The celebration of his life will be held at his Las Vegas home, and his ashes will be spread on nearby 12,000-foot Mt. Charleston. 

Emily Fieg Publishes New Book

Emily Fieg, wife of cousin Brian Fieg, is excited to announce that her newest book/Bible study is available for pre-order. It will be available as a paperback and e-book on March 3rd. Says Emily, "Look for it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and more. It's perfect for a spring Bible study."

The title is "Effortless Fruitfulness: Living a Life of Supernatural Growth." Barnes and Noble describes it as "a thirteen-session individual or small group study and workbook that examines Jesus' parables and teachings in the Gospels about bearing fruit, abiding in the vine, sowing and reaping, harvesting, and other agricultural metaphors and reveals how many Christians have been trying to gain victory in these areas by self-effort without realizing it. Be ready to be set free and equipped for greater fruitfulness!"

Emily and Brian live with their three kiddos, Caleb, Lily, and Nathan in Acworth, Ga. This is her second book. She also penned "Pharisee Set Free: Abandoning Religion to Seek the Heart of God" in 2020.

Congratulations to the author!

Two Babies Born to the Next Generation

On Feb. 27 a 9-pound 3-ounce baby boy was born to Megan Brewer and Cade Dangca. Weston Allan Dangca, 21 inches long, was born at Cobleskill General Hospital in Cobleskill, N.Y.

This is the second infant born to this next generation.

Greg Fieg holding Melody Buff

Melody Celine Buff was born Nov. 2, 2021 to Maren (Corkery) and Thomas Buff, also at Cobleskill.The Buffs and the Dangcas all live in Schoharie, N.Y. where Maren and Megan are fast friends.

Melody, at three months, is able to hold up her head without assistance, reaches and grabs things, mimics singing, and babbles and coos of her own accord.  Her favorite song is "Annie's Song" by John Denver. 

On the Fieg family tree, Melody's grandparents are Sarah and Kevin Corkery of W. Oneonta, and Weston's grandparents are Anna and Allan Dangca of Laurens, N.Y.  The babies' great-grandmother is Jacqueline Powell McAdams and their great-grandfather is Greg Fieg of Oneonta, N.Y. who are proud as punch. 

J.R. Wells, Fiegs Observe Fourth Decade

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the introduction of J.R. Wells into the pantheon of professional stage, motion picture and television performers.

J.R., better known to the Oneonta Fiegs as Jimmy, has been a de facto brother to Edward Fieg of St. Louis, both Air Force veterans, since Jim and Ed literally escaped together from kindergarten, where neither wanted to be.  Among other episodes of rebellion and mayhem, they sneaked in to a candy store and stole various confections. Thank goodness the statute of limitations has expired on those criminalities.

In the old days, Jim, a dashing and athletic tennis player with ice blue eyes and a healthy shock of blond hair, initially marketed himself as a romantic lead and appeared as the star of such Off Off Broadway productions as Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Allegro," and Stephen Sondheim's "Company." 

These days he is more of an old guy, a "type" to play the grandfather, bank president, judge or maybe an old doctor. Jim, who lives in New York City, is currently on hiatus but looking forward to returning to his chosen career, which he has sustained with what he calls "survival jobs."

Having acquired his Screen Actors' Guild membership in 1982, he has appeared in about a dozen TV shows including "Law and Order," "Kate and Allie," and Saturday Night Live. He has been in more than two dozen movies including "Scent of a Woman" with Al Pacino and Chris O'Donnell, "Bullets Over Broadway" with Woody Allen and Chazz Palminteri, "Working Girl" with Melanie Griffith and Harrison Ford, and "Wall Street" with Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen.

Jim says that Charlie Sheen was not the prima donna that some people think, and the secret to appearing in productions with these celebrities is "not be awed by the fact that they're super stars" and just treat them professionally.

In 1987 while making "The Secret of My Success" with Michael J. Fox, he and Fox sneaked outside to have a smoke where they were greeted by a crowd of screaming young girls. Fox turned to Wells and asked, "Are they here for you?"

Jimmy Wells driving to NYC with Lisa Fieg.

 

 

 

Kevin Still Elected Board Chairman of CoBank

Kevin Still, husband of cousin Anne Whiteside Still, was recently chosen to lead the board of directors of CoBank, a national cooperative bank serving various industries across the country.

Kevin has been on the board since 2002, and is very familiar with the types of companies that benefit from the association with CoBank such as agricultural retail cooperatives, electric cooperatives, and even Christmas tree farms!

A hearty clap on the back to Kevin for this well-deserved honor.

For more details, click HERE.

Kevin Still