John Howard Rusk

John Howard Rusk was born June 17, 1923, in Barkley Township, Jasper County, Indiana. He was the son of John H. and Bessie (Saltwell) Rusk. John passed away at the age of 93 on February 15, 2017, at Franciscan Health Rensselaer AlternaCare in Rensselaer, Indiana. He was educated at the South Barkley School and was a 1941 graduate of Rensselaer High School. After graduation John began farming, which he did until 1946. He then went to work for R. P. Carton at his auto dealership for fourteen years. In 1960 John purchased the auto dealership and ran it as Johnny Rusk Company for twenty-five years. On November 26, 1948, John married Evelyn Jonas. Evelyn passed away on February 12, 1998. John was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Evangelical Church in Rensselaer where he served two terms as Deacon He was involved in the Boy Scouts and served as health and safety chairman for the Boy Scouts of America. John was an active member of the Lion’s Club where he was a 60-year member and held every office of the club. He was a member of the Jasper County Historical Society and worked on various committees for Northwest Salvage. John was a ten- year member of the Jasper County Community Services where he served as both treasurer and president. He was elected to the Rensselaer City Council and served four years under then Mayor Robert Wilcox. John was the Republican Precinct Committeeman of ward three in Rensselaer. John enjoyed life and being active in his community. The fact that he never met a stranger was evident to all who came to know him. John is survived by his loving family, son’s Eric Paul “Rick” Rusk of Buffalo, Indiana and Kim Francis “Hank” (wife Lori) Rusk of Rensselaer; a grandson Randy Rusk and great grandson Ollie. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Evelyn, a son James John Rusk, grandson Seth Rusk, a sister Ruth Rusk Moore and a brother Harold H. Rusk. Friends may call at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Funeral services for John will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer with Pastor Benjamin Hertel officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Rensselaer, Indiana. Memorials may be made to the Rensselaer Lion’s Club.

John Howard Rusk

June 17, 1923 - February 15, 2017