Earl Robert Rustin 1922 - 1987

RUSTIN, MILLARD, MELBY, LEISINGER

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 3/2/2014 at 14:21:28

Onawa Democrat, Onawa, (Monona), Iowa, 26 Nov 1987:

EARL ROBERT RUSTIN

Earl Robert Rustin, 64, of Moorhead, Iowa, died Monday, November 16, 1987, at Burgess Memorial Hospital in Onawa after suffering a heart attack at his home.

He was born December 30, 1922, in Moorhead to Orville and Lucy Ann (Millard) Rustin, and graduated from Moorhead High School in 1940. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and served four years with the First and Fifth Marine Division having been at Iwo Jima at the time of the flag raising February 22, 1945. He was the recipient of a Purple Heart for wounds suffered in Iwo Jima. On November 29, 1952, he married Jane LaVerne Melby Leisinger in Pipestone, Minnesota. The couple farmed at Pisgah for 10 years and then at Soldier for 21 years, before retiring in 1983 because of poor health. They have lived in Moorhead since 1984.

He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and was a member of Peter A. Hansen American Legion Post #365 in Moorhead.

Survivors include his wife; one son, Marvin Leisinger, of Moore, Okla.; four daughters, Mrs. Gordon (Jane) Barta of Omaha, Nebr., Mrs. Duane (Ruby) Storm of St. Libory, Nebr., Mrs. Bryce (Jolene) McDonald of Celina, Texas and Mrs. Sam (Susan) Johnson of Moorhead; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Dennis (Sharon) Swenson, Moorhead; two brothers, John of Council Bluffs and Morris of Whiting; two sisters, Mrs. Grace Hinkel of Moorhead and Mrs. Charles (Florence) Lucas of Sioux City; 17 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Harvey Leisinger; one daughter, Judy Leisinger Simpson; one brother, Carl; and one sister, Mrs. Dale (Adah) Welliver.

Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 19, 1987, in Bethesda Lutheran Church at Moorhead, with Rev. Paul Birkedal officiating. Mrs. Jeff Anderson, the organist, accompanied the Men’s Quartet, Stanley Hansen, Craig Swenson, Gordon Foss and Marc Clemon, in the selections “How Great Thou Art” and “In the Garden”.

Bearers were Jim Lucas, Ray Hinkel, Terry Melby, Don Rustin, Bryan Melby and Eugene Melby.

Interment was in Spring Valley Cemetery, Moorhead, with Military Graveside Services by Peter A. Hansen American Legion Post #365, Moorhead, Terry Melby, Commander. Arrangements were by Pearson, Funeral Home, Soldier, Iowa.