Edward D. Rushton

Edward Donald Rushton passed away in the comfort of his home early Friday evening, Dec. 10, 2010. He had lived an exciting and adventurous life, and had reached the age of 84. Born Edward Donald Rushton Aug. 8, 1926 in Lorain, Ohio, he was a devoted animal lover and American patriot. Serving his country was one of his greatest attributes, and giving to others made him the happiest! He attended Lorain High School, where he excelled in football and charm. Soon answering the call to service, he enlisted in the Seabees division of the U.S. Navy when he was only 17 years old. Thus began an illustrious adventure during World War II that took him first to California, then Brisbane, Australia, and finally to the small islands off of New Guinea. There, shortly after building a P.T. base, while waiting to be picked up by a rescue submarine that never arrived, he was taken capture by Japanese soldiers and held as a prisoner of war for more than six months. Upon his rescue and release by Australian troops, he returned to the United States, where he served as a first class petty officer. Later, he entered service with his beloved Marine Corps, where he eventually achieved the rank of gunnery sergeant. Along the way, he garnered six Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star and the illustrious Navy Cross. In 1957, while working as a bricklayer in Lynchburg, Va., he was repairing a blast furnace and fell 92 feet, landing flat on his back. A long visit in Lynchburg General Hospital afforded him the opportunity to meet a beautiful, young nurse named Doris Spradlin. His 92-foot-fall was the pivotal moment in his life, as it allowed him to also fall in love and marry the woman he would spend the next 54 years with. Edward was a meat inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 31 years. He was a devoted member of the Fraternal Order of Elks, serving twice as Exalted Ruler, as well as Elk of the Year and received many other accolades associated with the organization. He was also an avid member of the Disabled American Veterans, assuming various volunteer positions. He is survived by many family members and friends, who will miss him dearly. Among them are sons, Donald Edward Rushton and wife Pat of Lorain, Ohio and John Spradlin Rushton and wife Joy of Lewisville, N.C.; and a daughter, Mary Katherine Rushton Dewing and husband Andrew of Suffolk. Surviving grandchildren are Nicole Rushton Shinsky of Sheffield Lake, Ohio, Casey Rushton Lehner of Boca Raton, Fla., Kendall Marianne Rushton of Virginia Beach, Bronwyn Kennedy Rushton and Braedon Kidd Rushton of Lewisville, N.C., and Edward Hunter Pleasant Dewing, Hannah Doris Potter Dewing and Katherine Drew Virginia Dewing of Suffolk. Edward is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Holly Rushton and Lexi Beasley of Sheffield Lake, Ohio and many beloved nieces and nephews. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel, with burial in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens with military honors. The family will receive friends in the funeral home Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.,

Edward D. Rushton

December 10, 2010