Elijah Rusk, Sr.
September 1, 1938 — June 2, 2017
Elijah Rusk, Sr.
Bloomington - Elijah "Joe" Rusk, Sr., 78, of Bloomington passed away at 4:50 p.m. on Friday June 2, 2017 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal.
His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2017 at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington with Rev. Frank L. McSwain, Sr. officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church on Friday prior to the service. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Interment will be a Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Bloomington. Memorials may be made to the family.
Joe was born on September 1, 1938 in Gilmore, Arkansas, a son to Shurley and Emma Gaiter Rusk. He married Alberta Bridges Rusk and to this union, two daughters, JoAnn and Dottie, and two sons, Elijah, Jr., and Gary were born. Joe later married Geneen Szabados on July 1, 1978 in Bloomington.
Surviving is his wife of 38 years, Geneen Rusk of Bloomington; his children, Karen (Tim) Thomas of Normal, Kevin Van Hook of Austin, TX, Brenda Phelps of Peoria, Lisa Van Hook-Reid of Arlington, TX, JoAnn (Chuck) Rusk-Stewart of Bloomington, Dottie Rusk-Cherry of Bloomington, Elijah (Rachel) Rusk, Jr. of Bloomington, Jolene Rusk of Unionville, CT, and Chris (Steven) Rusk-Latta of Bloomington; 15 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Miller of Bloomington, Eliza (Reginald) Taylor of North Carolina; three brothers, Shurley "Luster" Rusk Jr., Eugene Rusk and Anthony Rusk, all of Bloomington.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, three brothers, Ernie Rusk Sr., Roosevelt Rusk, and John Rusk, three sisters, Christina Rusk, Alean Rusk, and Judy Rusk, and two sons, John "Herky" Van Hook and Gary Rusk.
Joe served as a Bloomington Police Officer for 20 years, joining the department on March 4, 1968 and retiring on September 1, 1988. He also worked for State Farm Insurance in Bloomington in the Fabrication Division.
He was a faithful member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.
He loved his family and friends and enjoyed telling stories. Joe loved and lived life to the fullest, "he was one of a kind."
801 W. Market St.
Bloomington, IL 61704
801 W. Market St.
Bloomington, IL 61704
His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2017 at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington with Rev. Frank L. McSwain, Sr. officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church on Friday prior to the service. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Interment will be a Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Bloomington. Memorials may be made to the family.
Joe was born on September 1, 1938 in Gilmore, Arkansas, a son to Shurley and Emma Gaiter Rusk. He married Alberta Bridges Rusk and to this union, two daughters, JoAnn and Dottie, and two sons, Elijah, Jr., and Gary were born. Joe later married Geneen Szabados on July 1, 1978 in Bloomington.
Surviving is his wife of 38 years, Geneen Rusk of Bloomington; his children, Karen (Tim) Thomas of Normal, Kevin Van Hook of Austin, TX, Brenda Phelps of Peoria, Lisa Van Hook-Reid of Arlington, TX, JoAnn (Chuck) Rusk-Stewart of Bloomington, Dottie Rusk-Cherry of Bloomington, Elijah (Rachel) Rusk, Jr. of Bloomington, Jolene Rusk of Unionville, CT, and Chris (Steven) Rusk-Latta of Bloomington; 15 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Miller of Bloomington, Eliza (Reginald) Taylor of North Carolina; three brothers, Shurley "Luster" Rusk Jr., Eugene Rusk and Anthony Rusk, all of Bloomington.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, three brothers, Ernie Rusk Sr., Roosevelt Rusk, and John Rusk, three sisters, Christina Rusk, Alean Rusk, and Judy Rusk, and two sons, John "Herky" Van Hook and Gary Rusk.
Joe served as a Bloomington Police Officer for 20 years, joining the department on March 4, 1968 and retiring on September 1, 1988. He also worked for State Farm Insurance in Bloomington in the Fabrication Division.
He was a faithful member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.
He loved his family and friends and enjoyed telling stories. Joe loved and lived life to the fullest, "he was one of a kind."
Visitation
JUN 9. 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church801 W. Market St.
Bloomington, IL 61704
Funeral Service
JUN 9. 11:00 AM (CDT)
Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church801 W. Market St.
Bloomington, IL 61704
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