Sonny R. Luster (90) of rural Brownstown

Sonny R. Luster, 90 of rural Brownstown, IL died at 5:25 p.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the American Legion, 1121 Mulberry St, Keyesport, IL 62253, with military honors provided by the US Navy and the local American Legion, VFW and Patriot Guard Riders. The family will receive guests after Noon until service time. Gieseking Funeral Home, Brownstown is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be made to the American Legion.

Sonny Russell Luster was born in Bangert, Missouri on Sunday, June 17, 1934 to Clifton Russell and Bertha Eileen (Pidcock) Luster. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Charles Rictor. At the age of 17, he joined and proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He married Patricia J. Kelly in 1955 and they later divorced, but she still remained the love of his life. Sonny was a heavy machine operator and had worked with several local unions having last worked with the Union Local #841, Terre Haute. For the 3-1/2 years prior to retirement he had been working in Rantoul. He was of the Christian faith, a member of the American Legion #1994, Keyesport and the Vandalia VFW. He was drawn to the water and enjoyed fishing and was nicknamed “The Legend” from his escapades at the campground he oversaw and wintered-in on the Ohio River in his houseboat. He enjoyed his family, gardening, hunting, Kentucky University basketball and his dogs, Suzy and Bizzy and his aptly named cat, AWOL.

He is survived by: his son, Michael (special friend, Shirley Ray) Luster of Vandalia; daughters, Teresa (Damon) Duckworth of Brownstown, Lisa (Jeff) Cameron of Belton, TX, Amy (Rick) Pittenger of Brownstown, Courtnay (Nathan) Harris of Georgetown, TX; grandchildren, Jami (Larry) Kistler, Ryan (Molli) Garrison, Slade (Allysan Jimenez) Luster, Maizie (Brendon) Hollowell, Tanisha (Derek) Ambuehl, Kolton Cameron and Kyrieauna Duckworth; great grandchildren, Ariana Kistler, Aiden Strobel, Sophia Ambuehl, Logan Ambuehl, Isabella Struble, Kinsley Struble, Avery Struble, McKinley Garrison, and Noelle Hollowell; half-brother, William Luster of Edinburg; half-sisters, Charlene Morris of Abington and Dorothy Rictor of IL; special nieces, Vickey Mullett of Eldon, MO and Betty Short of St. Louis, MO; and Danny Pittenger and Bryan Chatham who were like sons to him.

Sonny was preceded in death by: his parents and stepfather; brothers, Clifton Russell Luster, Jr.; sisters, Jessie Carroll, Thelma Watkins, Ellen Brown and Ruby Smithe; two great granddaughters, Madison and Riley Garrison.

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