CHARLES RUSHING

SIKESTON -- Charles Rushing, 81, died Monday, May 29, 2000, at Bertrand Nursing Facility in Bertrand.

He was born March 29, 1919, at Bertrand, son of Charles and Ethel Jackson Rushing. He first married Bessie Schatte July 3, 1946. She died Oct. 17, 1982. He and Mabel Alessi were married May 21, 1983. She died Sept. 24, 1990. He later married Mary Ellen Stallings Aug. 8, 1993, at Sikeston.

Rushing retired as a salesman with Sherwin-Williams. He was a charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lawton, Okla., and attended First Baptist Church in Sikeston.

He served with the U.S. Air Force in the European Theater during World War II, and was awarded six Bronze Stars.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Brad and Randy Rushing of Lawton; a sister, Mildred Ault of Charleston; a stepson, Lee Stallings of Houston, Texas; a granddaughter; three stepgrandsons; and five great-stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter and a stepdaughter.

Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Caston Countz officiating. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery at Charleston.