Kermit "Rusty" Rust II

Kermit "Rusty" Russell Rust II, 76, formerly of Lambertville, Michigan, passed into internal rest on Monday, June 19, 2023. He was born to NellaBell (Nellie) May (Slater) Rust and Kermit Russell Rust on March 8, 1947, in Toledo, Ohio. There is some debate as to why his nickname was “Rusty”, whether because of his red hair or because of his last name, but many never knew him as “Kermit” at all. The second of three children, he attended and was confirmed at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, grew up racing go-carts with his dad and wrestled in High School. He graduated from Roy C. Start High School with the class of 1965. He was introduced by a mutual friend to Margie Coss during those high school years, and as she went off to college, he joined the Air Force Reserve, graduating from boot camp in January of 1967. Although he would attend college for a couple years, initially considering a career in law, he chose to take a full-time position with the 180th Air National Guard, in Swanton, Ohio, initially in the Avionics group. Rusty and Margie married in November of 1969 at Collingwood United Methodist Church surrounded by family and friends. Their marriage of over 50 years resulted in two children, Cortney and Kermit III (also known as Rusty) and included numerous homes and renovations leading to the build of a house in Lambertville in 1978 where they would open Ironwood Nursery in the early 1980’s. For many years, Kermit would put in a full day’s work at the 180th, would come home and change clothes, and go directly out to the greenhouse or the small-engine repair shop to forward the family business alongside his family – including his sister and mother. Ironwood Nursery was probably most well-known in the local community for their $2.50 Mums, with signs posted all around Lambertville. When he wasn’t working on the property with his prized “Johnny-Popper” John Deere tractor which he rebuilt, literally, from bushel baskets of parts using the kitchen oven to dry the John-Deere-Green and yellow paint, he enjoyed camping with the family. What started out as a way to spend time with his son exploring with a 2-man tent, turned into numerous vehicles from a conversion van to a class C motorhome that took the family on adventures all over the state of Michigan and beyond. In 2002, Rusty retired from his Guard and Air Force Reserve service as a Master Sargent working in Quality Control and with forty years of service credited to him. For the rest of his life, he would tell anyone and everyone about how good the military was to him and about the great experiences he’d had in his career. While in retirement, he pursued his long-time love of Corvettes, joining the Glass City Corvette Club and actively participating in their cruise-ins and meetings with one of the many Corvettes he owned. He and Margie continued to enjoy gardening, took their dog, Gizmo, everywhere, and life was full as they stayed active with their grandchildren and regular dinners out with church friends. His health slowly declined over the years, in part, due to the lasting effects of injuries sustained in a car accident in 2001. Full of pride, very few knew of the health decline. He was most proud of his children and grandchildren and of the life he’d built and enjoyed; many were impacted by that life. He is survived by his loving wife, Margie, his children, Cortney (Jack) Schaefer and Kermit (Arlene) Rust III, five grandchildren, Jacqueline, Grant, Kermit IV, Kendall, and Henry, and his nephew, John (Rachael) DeBarr. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, MaryEllen Rust and Carol DeBarr, and his nephew, Jeffrey DeBarr. Visitation will be held at Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 300 W. Sylvania Avenue, on Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 2:00pm to 8:00pm. On Friday, June 23, 2023, a Christian service officiated by Pastor Paula Stewart will begin at 11:00am. Graveside service and interment to follow at Toledo Memorial Park.

Kermit "Rusty" Rust II

March 8, 1947 - June 19, 2023