Kenneth Rush (85) of Effingham

Kenneth Leroy Rush, 85, of Effingham, Illinois, passed away at 9:25 PM Friday, January 22, 2016, at his home from complications of diabetes and age. His recent illness began when he was hospitalized on Christmas Day.

There will be no service at this time and burial will be at a later date in the Edgewood Cemetery in Edgewood, Illinois. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois.

The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here

Memorials should be made to the Effingham Co. Humane Society or the First Christian Church of Effingham or Edgewood.

Kenneth was born on March 24, 1930 in Edgewood, Illinois the son of D. L. "Pete" and Hazel (Myers) Rush. He married Claudine McManaway of Farina, Illinois on July 29, 1950 and she survives. Kenneth had worked with his father on the Illinois Central Railroad; operated the Farina Locker during the 1960s; loved their farm near Mason, Illinois and retired from Crossroads Press in 1991. Kenneth was drafted into the United States Army in 1951 and was stationed at Kunson, Korea. Many knew Kenneth as "that guy who walks all the time" as he walked in the southeast part of the city for health reasons. He loved all animals and would even pick up a fish worm from the sidewalk and place it in the grass. Kenneth was a member of the First Christian Church of Effingham and was baptized on May 30, 2013, by Pastor David McConnell. He was also a member of Effingham American Legion Post #120, Effingham County Sportsmen’s Club, Effingham County Farm Bureau and the NRA.

Kenneth is survived by: Wife of 65 years Claudine; special relative Pat Thomas (Gaylord) Loy and her children Angie and Roger; His brother Lee of Ft. Morgan, Colorado; Kenneth's nieces and nephews Lynda Rush Kump of Columbia, South Carolina; Kelly Rush Joseph of Indianapolis, Indiana; Keith Rush of Decatur, Illinois; Dennis Rush of Denver, Colorado; the McManaway girls - Pam Morales and Marla Rothas of Phoenix, Arizona; Tamara Haynes of Waterloo, Iowa; Lorrie Sutter of Tucson, Arizona; Terri Walker of Magnolia, Texas; Angie Monical and Roger Loy of Effingham, Illinois and special friend Mark Dilley of St. Elmo, Illinois.

Kenneth was preceded in death by parents, three premature sons, an older brother Glen in infancy, brother Harold on May 1, 2015, father and mother-in-law Claude and Marie McManaway, sisters-in-law Betty Rush and Alice Rush and a brother-in-law Earl McManaway.

Claudine thanks everyone who was so kind and helpful, their church family, friends and neighbors. Special thanks to Linda and Danny Rush. And to their Homewood neighbors who tolerate his little dog, Jake.