Wilbur L. ‘Rusty’ Rust
Wilbur L. “Rusty” Rust, 96, of Winona Lake, Ind., passed away at 8:20 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, 2012, in Miller’s Merry Manor, Warsaw.
He was born April 14, 1916, in Danville, Ind., to G.S. and Jessie M. (Day) Rust. On Dec. 28, 1968, he married Eula P. Reed. She preceded him in death on Jan. 10, 2012.
He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1935, and served in the Army Air Corps at Randolph Field in Texas. He was honorably discharged before WWII.
He re-enlisted in the Naval Air Corps and served with the Fourth Fleet in the South Atlantic during WWII. After serving his country, he received certification in Water Treatment Chemistry from Purdue University and later worked as a chemist at the Water Treatment Plants in Kokomo, Ind., and Pierceton, Ind.
He was very 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.
“Rusty” was always actively involved in the communities in which he lived by serving on various local boards and councils. He was also a Boy Scout Leader and a supporter of several organizations including the Lions, American Legion and the VFW.
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 the Warsaw Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints where he had served as a priest.
Surviving are his daughters: Melissa (James) Wilson, Kokomo; Penny Hales, Warsaw; a son: Trent Rust, Indianapolis; his son-in-law: William Gaither; granddaughters: Emily Shrock, Kathy Tragesser and Patty (Robert) Thiemrodt; grandsons: Joshua (Shaine) Wilson and Jacob Wilson, all of Kokomo; a granddaughter: Madison Hales, Warsaw; and several nieces, nephews and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife; a sister: Wilburta “Willie” Kapust, Overland Park, Kan.; a daughter: Starla (Rust) Gaither, Kokomo; and a stepson: David Reed, Warsaw.
Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 13, at Warsaw Church of Latter Day Saints, 1101 N. 175E. The service will begin at noon Saturday in the church. A full military service burial will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions may be sent to Wounded Warriors Project and other Veterans groups.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is handling the arrangements.