John Rushing

John Boyd Rushing, age 96, a resident of rural Simpson, Illinois, passed away Saturday evening, July 12, 2014, at 10:05 PM at Hillview Health Care Center in Vienna. John was born May 20, 1918 at Simpson, Illinois. He was the son of Lewis & Eula (nee) Rushing. On July 5, 1941, John was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary A. Harrison at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Together, John and Mary enjoyed 65 years of marriage prior to her passing on May 23, 2007. John is survived by: his children – Ron & Helen Rushing of Shawneetown, Dan & Verna Rushing of Metropolis; and Ellen & Bill Broom of Simpson; 8 grandchildren – Ronda Duckworth, Chandra Stanley, Paul Maynard, Chelli Hardison, Robert Maynard, Ryan Rushing, Kyle Broom, Ashley Broom; 15 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren; a sister – Carrie Wise of the Glendale community; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife, John was preceded in death by 4 sisters – Helen Phelps, Mildred Palmer, Mary Gaynelle Scarborough, and Faye Faulkner. John was a graduate of Robbs High School. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 until his honorable discharge on January 6, 1946. John attained the rank of sergeant and was assigned to the 90th Bomb Group serving in the Pacific theater of operation. John was a former member of the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post # 5222. John was a lifelong farmer. He loved the land and working with his cattle. John served as a member of the Johnson County Farm Bureau Board for 46 years and the Johnson County Soil & Water Conversation District Board for 42 years. John was among a group of cattlemen who was instrumental in promoting the IPLA (Interstate Producers Livestock Association) sale barn at Robbs, Illinois. Additionally, John served as postmaster at the Simpson Post Office for many years, prior to his retirement on June 29, 1985. John was a 50+ year member of Gurney Masonic Lodge # 778 AF&AM at Simpson. He had served as the lodge secretary for 46 years. John was a faithful and devoted member of the Glendale United Methodist Church where he had formerly served as a member of the church board. John will be remembered as a man who was devoted to his family and community. A Celebration of the Life of John Rushing will be conducted Thursday morning, July 17, 2014, at 11 AM at the Glendale United Methodist Church. Pastor Mike Shearer will officiate. Interment will be in the Glendale Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be accorded by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post # 5222 and the Illinois National Guard Burial Honors detail. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2014, from 5 PM – 8 PM at the Glendale United Methodist Church. Masonic rites will be accorded at 8 PM Wednesday evening. Memorials may be made to the Glendale United Methodist Church or Cemetery, c/o Charlotte Benard, 45 Cedar Grove Road, Simpson, IL 62985.

John Rushing

May 20, 1918 - July 12, 2014