Ruby Marie (Shelton) Rusk

Ruby Marie (Shelton) Rusk, age 82, of Evansville, IN, passed away at 8:48 p.m. on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at St. Vincent Hospital – Evansville.

Ruby was born at home in Dickeyville, IN to Rufus William and Clestia Marie (Hodges) Shelton on February 2, 1939. Ruby attended Folsomville High School until the school burned her senior year in December of 1956. She then attended Boonville High School where she graduated in 1957. During high school, she participated in several activities and was involved in numerous school plays. After high school, she enrolled at Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana State University) where she graduated in three years with a major in elementary education. She received a master’s degree from Indiana University.

In June 1960, she began teaching at Caze School where she worked as a teacher and later as an elementary counselor for 37 years (1 year at Washington School). She was also an assistant basketball coach at Caze with her dear friend Becky Griepenstroh.

While at Indiana State University, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, A.C.E., S.E.A., and Roger Williams Fellowship. Ruby met her late husband, Edward, while they were students at ISU. As alumni, she and Ed were very active with the university. She served on the ISU Alumni Board for eight years from 2004-2012. In 2012 she received the John P. Newton Spirit of ISU Award for her dedicated service and loyal support of Indiana State. Since she graduated, she has never missed an ISU Homecoming.

In 2006, at age 66, Ruby played in the 50-55 age group in the first Senior Olympics Basketball 3-on-3 half-court team from Indiana in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2016 she accompanied her brother Darrel on the Honor Flight from Southern Indiana to Washington, DC.

She always enjoyed traveling and has been to all 50 states, parts of Europe, Mexico, and Canada, and on several Caribbean cruises. She was a member of American Baptist East (Embrace) Church and served in different capacities, including the church choir. She was a member of National Education Association, Evansville Teachers Association, and Retired Teachers Association. She served as a delegate for several National Education Association conventions. She also worked high school track meets for the SIAC city, sectional, and regional meets for many years. “I want everyone to know that I loved the Lord, my family, and especially my grandkids and friends.”

Ruby is survived by her son, Ryan Edward Rusk (Stephanie) of Fort Collins, CO; grandson, Jacob Rusk; granddaughter, Laura Rusk; step grandson, Evan Lancaster; step granddaughter Leah Lancaster; sisters, Ella Shelton and Carolyn McConnell (Don); brother, Darrel Shelton (Mary Jeanette); and 19 nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; and great great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Edward Lee Rusk, who passed away in 2017; parents, Rufus and Clestia Shelton; brother, Paul Shelton (Sarah); sisters, Hazel Conner (Narl), Lucille Johnson (Alva), and Lois Thompson (Harvey).

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at Embrace Church, 6300 Washington Avenue with Pastor David Huff and Pastor Jeff Stratton officiating. A Live Stream will be available beginning twenty minutes prior to the service time. Please visit www.boonefuneralhome.net, select your loved one’s obituary, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Live Stream. Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery in Folsomville, IN.

Friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at BOONE FUNERAL HOME EAST CHAPEL – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, and from 9:00 a.m. until service time, Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at Embrace Church.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: Embrace Church at 6300 Washington Avenue, IN 47715 or Indiana State University Foundation at 30 North 5th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807.

Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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