ARTHUR RUSCH obituary

CHINOOK - Arthur Eugene Rusch, 76, died Friday, March 21, 2003, at his home in Chinook of natural causes.

The funeral Mass was today at 11 a.m. in Saint Gabriel's Catholic Church. Rosary was recited Sunday evening in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel.

Arthur was born in Chinook to Richard (Dick) Edward and Margaret Loretta (Raas) Rusch on Sept. 27, 1926. He graduated from Chinook High School in 1944.

Art enlisted in the U.S. Navy and he served his country with honor on the

U.S.S. Bennington until he was discharged in 1946. Sometime after the

war, he began working at Jamieson Motors and remained there for nearly 40 years. He was a member of the Havre Elks Lodge #1201 and the Chinook Eagles Aerie Lodge #689. He also was active in the Chinook V.F.W. Post #4620, holding the office of quartermaster.

Art married Beverly Jamieson in Chinook on Oct. 2, 1947.

Art was always up for a game of cribbage or a good crossword puzzle. As a youngster, he developed a love of music and he learned to play the alto E flat horn and the trumpet. Art, his parents, his brother and sister played in the Chinook City Band. On many warm summer evenings, they would put on concerts for the community on the corner of Second and Third streets in downtown Chinook.

As a member of the Havre Elks Lodge, Art played in the German Band for 25 years, traveling along the Hi-Line and throughout Montana. As a member of the Chinook Vets Club, he was instrumental in putting on the annual Fourth of July races for all the children in Chinook. He displayed the American flag on his home every Memorial Day, always wanted fallen comrades to be honored and given the respect they deserved. For 49 years, from 1946 to 1995, Art played "Taps" at every Memorial Day service, except for two, and for those same 49 years played "Taps" at every military funeral, except for four.

Art was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John R. Rusch; and a sister, Marion Gray.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly Rusch of Chinook; son, Richard (Dick) Rusch of Bozeman; daughters, Cynthia Illingworth of Irvine, Calif., and Marcia Overcast and Marilyn Barber, both of Chinook; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook.