Wilbur L. 'Rusty' Rust

Wilbur L. Rust “Rusty” 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, IN. 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 was also preceded in death by a sister, Wilburta “Willie” Kapust of Overland Park, Kansas, a daughter, Starla (Rust) Gaither of Kokomo, and a stepson, David Reed of Warsaw.He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1935. He served in the Army Air Corps at Randolph Field in Texas and 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 and Pierceton.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 Boys 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 Wilson and spouse James of Kokomo, Penny Hales of Warsaw, and his son Trent Rust of Indianapolis. Also surviving are his son-in-law William Gaither, granddaughters Emily Shrock, Kathy Tragesser, and Patty Thiemrodt , spouse Robert grandsons, Joshua, spouse Shaine and Jacob Wilson all of Kokomo and his granddaughter Madison Hales of Warsaw. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, and five great grandchildren.A memorial service on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at the Warsaw Church of Latter Day Saints 1101 N. 175E. Visiting will be at 10:30 a.m. with the service following at noon. 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.