Born: October 6, 1931 - Deceased: February 9, 2022
Harold L. Rushing, 90, of Belleville, IL, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.
Harold was born in East St. Louis, IL, on October 6, 1931 to Benjamin H. Rushing and Flossie Estella Hancock Rushing. He graduated East St. Louis High School in 1950. He later attended Penn State University and then Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in vocational education studies.
He honorably served in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War and later owned and operated a television sales and repairs business. He was a member of Union United Methodist Church and a supporter of several charitable organizations. His passion was classic cars, antique radios, and World War II history. He was also an avid gardener and spent many hours tending his roses.
He was the beloved husband of Jamie Dianne (Schwepker) Rushing for 47 years and the late Evelyn Joyce (Barker) Rushing for 11 years. Loving father of Kevin (Deborah) Rushing, Keith (Marion) Rushing, Karen (David) Holtgrewe, Thomas (Denise) Mauer, Mary Ann (Brian) Murphy, and Laura (Brent) Murphy. Cherished grandfather of Nicole (Charles) Sauls, Benjamin (Katie) Rushing, Amanda (Chris) Givens, Evelyn Ann Rushing, Robin Rushing, Elizabeth Rushing, Caroline Holtgrewe, Vaughan Mauer, Melissa Murphy, Morgan Murphy, Alexander Murphy, and Thomas Murphy. Treasured great-grandfather of Amelia Rose Sauls, Lucus Rushing, Claire Rushing, Connor Givens, Callie Givens, and Leliana Spampinato. Caring brother of the late Charles Rushing, Robert Rushing, William Rushing and Helen Keeler.
Memorials: Memorials may be made to Vitas Hospice, Belleville Area Human Society, Mississippi Valley Packards or Doctors without Borders.
Visitation: Visitation from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Monday, February 14, 2022 with a American Legion walk-through at 7:00 pm at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am, Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Kurrus Funeral Home, with Rev. Doug White officiating. Interment will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.
10 Comments
As former head of the Mississippi Valleys Packards antique car club, I well recall the first time I met Harold in the 1980s and how he became a stalwart and highly reliable member of our organization. It was always a delight to chat with him and share aspects of car history. Reliable, helpful, firm, and knowledgeable, Harold was ever-ready to converse on his subjects and to share his experiences. A more reliable friend could not be found! May the Lord bless Harold’s family with peace.
Our deepest condolences to Harold’s family and friends.
Sitting here with tears in my eyes as I remember our times at Uncle Harold’s and my Aunt Joyce’s. He always displayed a “fondness” to me all of my life and made me feel special and that feeling was mutual. We built a relationship of love over the years, even though he and my Aunt got divorced. We continued to keep in contact and visited him after he remarried Jamie and I am so happy that we did not grow apart over the years but came together in love and understanding. It amazes me how many lives that one person can touch and influence over their lifetime, and my ” Uncle Harold” touched many. I will miss him and our visits dearly. Love you “Uncle Harold. My prayers to his first family of children and also his second family of children.
Remembering a great man who sheltered my siblings and I when we were very young. As adults we reunited with Uncle Harold. His kindness and compassion will never be forgotten.
grew up across the street on little flower everyone loved harold and his family. was my fathers best friend and he passed last year and represented the last of the original neighborhood members .
My sincere sorrow for your loss of your Dad. Such great memories I have with your family on Little Flower Lane. Prayers for comfort and peace for all.
So sorry for the loss of your Dad, Karen. Our prayers are with the family. I remember my younger years at the Rushing house on Little Flower and how kind, funny and inviting your Dad was. He will be missed.
I meet Harold in 1984, we where business neighbors in a small plaza in Collinsville. I owned the hair salon next to his TV store. Eventually I talked him into giving up his toupee. I have cut his hair ever since. Harold was more than a client, he was a dear friend. I will miss him dearly. My condolences to his family. He was a wonderful man. So sorry for your loss.
Brent and Family,
Harold’s kind nature to others will be remembered. He will always be the K-mart television repair man who always got our Zenith Tv working again. Funny thing, still got that Zenith console from the 70’s and it still works. Our deepest most sincere condolence to all the family.
Sorry that Harold is gone but blessed to known him for part of our life will miss him at Methodist men meetings.