Travis-Noe Funeral Home
1008 W. Potter Ave
Kirksville MO 63501
660-665-1300
Fax 660-665-3223

Virgil Mack Rusk
1924 – 2009

 A long time resident of Gibbs, Missouri, Virgil Mack Rusk, 85, passed away Thursday (October 15, 2009) at Twin Pines Adult Care Center in Kirksville.

Virgil was born in Adair County, on September 1, 1924, the son of Mack and Mary Nettie (Truitt) Rusk. He was united in marriage to Ola Dean McFarland on May 23, 1946, and to this union four sons and one daughter were born. She preceded him in death in 1993. On May 18, 1996, he was married to Mildred N. Scott of Kirksville, who preceded him in death on March 1, 2005. They divorced (due to illness) in April 2003, but remained dedicated to each other until her death.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Lily Fern Vice, Buelah May Fry and Goldie Lloyd.

Virgil is survived by four sons, Virgil Dean Rusk and wife Bert,  and Gale Lee Rusk and wife Rosalee all of Brashear, MO and David Eugene Rusk and Tony Lavern Rusk both of Kansas City, MO; one daughter, Joanna Jean Allen of Kansas City, MO; six grandchildren, Chris, Shaun, Chad, Clint, Linsey and Shanea as well as eight great-grandchildren.

Virgil received his education in the Golden Rule School, north of Novinger. He then moved to the Gibbs area where he farmed a number of years. In 1955 he went to work for McGraw Edison Manufacturing in Kirksville, where he was employed twenty-one years. He was also employed at Kewanee Farm Equipment of Kirksville for sixteen months until it closed. Virgil spent the following years caring for his wife until her death in 1993.

He loved country music, going to music shows and family parties where he enjoyed eating pie. Virgil was very devoted to his family and loved spending time with all of them.

Virgil had given his heart to Jesus Christ years ago and attended many area churches. He will be sadly missed by all of his family and friends.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday (October 19, 2009) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Robert Mills officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Gibbs Cemetery in Gibbs, Missouri.
 
Pallbearers will be Chris Rusk, Shawn Rusk, Chad Allen, Clint Allen, Ryan Ferdig and Raymond Pinkerton.

Public visitation will be held Sunday (October 19, 2009) with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Virgil may be made to the Twin Pines Adult Care Center Christmas Fund. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.