Wilbur L. “Rusty” Rust, 96, of the Village at Winona, went to be with the Lord at 8:20 a.m. Oct. 8, 2012, in Miller’s Merry Manor, Warsaw.
He was born April 14, 1916, in Danville, to G.S. and Jessie M. Day Rust. On Dec. 28, 1968, he married Eula P. Reed, who died Jan. 10, 2012.
He graduated from Mouth Vernon High School in 1935. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Randolph Field in Texas and was honorably discharged before World War II. He re-enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Corps and served with the Fourth Fleet in the South Atlantic during World War II. After serving his country, he received certification in water treatment plants in Kokomo and Pierceton.
He was proud to have served as a local coordinator for the 1956 Olympics men’s basketball team when they were playing exhibition games at Bunker Hill AFB and in the Kokomo area. The team’s roster included Bill Russell, and K.C. Jones, future NBA Hall of Famers, and Gib Ford, who later became CEO of Converse Athletic Shoes. He was always actively involved in the communities in which he lived by serving on various local boards and councils. He also was a Boy Scout leader and a supporter of several organizations including the Lions, American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He loved his family, his many friends and never knew a stranger. In his later years he was a familiar sight riding on his Honda Helix throughout the Winona Lake and Warsaw areas. He had a lifelong love of trains and contributed many hours working at Bob Kline’s Railroad Museum and train layout, a local point of interest in Warsaw. He loved the Lord and was a proud member of Warsaw Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints where he had served as a priest.
Surviving are two daughters, Melissa (and spouse James) Wilson, Kokomo, and Penny Hales, Warsaw; a son, Trent Rust, Indianapolis; a son-in-law, William Gaither; granddaughters, Madison, Hales, Warsaw, and Emily Shrock, Kathy Tragesser, and Patty (and spouse Robert) Thiemrodt; and grandsons, Joshua (and spouse Shaine) Wilson and Jacob Wilson, all of Kokomo; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He also was preceded in death by a sister, Wilburta “Willie” Kapust; a daughter, Starla Rust Gaither; and a stepson, David Reed.
A memorial service will be at noon Saturday at Warsaw Church of Latter Day Saints, 1101 N. CR 175E. A full military service burial will be at a later date.
Calling is from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the church.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Memorial may be made to Wounded Warriors and other veterans groups.
Condolences may be sent via mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
