Joseph "Joe" Francis Rust

Joseph Francis Rust (Joe) died on December 18th, 2025 at the age of 78 in Asheville, North Carolina, after a heroic struggle with complications related to a prior stroke.

Joe was born on August 30, 1947 in Greensburg, Indiana. He attended St. Mary’s School in Greensburg until eighth grade. He then followed family tradition and attended Subiaco Academy in Arkansas, graduating in 1965. Joe went on to the University of Notre Dame, receiving a degree in English in 1969. At that time, he received his Air Force ROTC commission and was assigned to McCoy AFB, Orlando, FL as a base level Procurement and Contracting Officer. He was recognized as the Strategic Air Command Procurement Officer of the Year in 1972. He attained the rank of Captain and was honorably discharged in November 1973, after four years of service.

Joe married his soul mate Susan Anne Balkwill on May 22, 1971 in Northville, MI. They lived in the Orlando, Florida area in their early marriage. It was during this time daughters Jennifer and Lindsay were born. After his Air Force service he worked at Westinghouse Electric Company’s Computer & Instrumentation Division in Orlando. He remained there until he joined the family business, Rust & Sons, Inc, in January 1976. The family moved to Greensburg, where he worked for thirty years, advancing to President of Rust Wholesale Company. Joe, Susan and others opened the Crafts & Occasions retail store on the North side of the Greensburg square in 1992 and ran it until it closed in 2019.

Over the years in Greensburg, Joe volunteered on various committees and leadership positions for several nonprofits including Cheer Fund, Decatur County Community Foundation, United Fund, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Healthcare Clinic of Decatur County, and the Decatur County YMCA. He delivered meals for Greensburg Bread of Life, and was a lunch time mentor with Big Brothers/Champions For Youth. Joe felt “giving back” was important for the long term betterment of his community and schools.

Joe enjoyed happy times with friends mixing their favorite cocktails and sharing funny stories with them. He loved the “Fighting Irish”, suffered through the Pacers seasons, and played the Zydeco washboard during crazy Cajun music sessions. His visitors from Niger in West Africa paid him the highest compliment when they told him he had “the heart of an African” after taking care of them when they were struggling during their stay in the US. He loved his Decatur County country home and felt living there was a constant vacation enjoying the wildlife and flowers. He moved to Asheville in October of 2024 to be closer to his daughter, Lindsay, and her family. In Asheville, he made scores of new friends whom he inspired with his courage and positive attitude.

Joe is survived by his wife and best friend Susan Rust, daughters Jennifer R. Rust, St. Louis, MO, and Lindsay M. Rust, son-in-law Steven B. Campbell and grandson Julian Joseph Campbell, all residing in Asheville, NC.; brothers Richard C. Rust, Greensburg, and J. Gregory Rust, Indianapolis, IN and sister Christine Renee (Rust) Yarmuth, Louisville, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents Oskar D. and Zita Mae (Scheidler) Rust, brother Robert P. Rust and sister Suzanne (Rust) Croy. His daughters Jennifer and Lindsay felt his love and could count on him to help them succeed, prosper and be happy. They were his pride and joy. Later, his grandson Julian received the same love and care.

There will be no visitation. A memorial service for family and friends is planned for late May when his remains will be interred at South Park Cemetery in Greensburg. Details will follow. Arrangements will be through Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home. 

Any memorials to Joe may be made to the Joseph F. and Susan A. Rust Fund at the Decatur County Community Foundation, the Decatur County Family YMCA, or an organization of the donor’s choice.

Anders Rice & Roper Funeral Home and Cremation Center is honored to serve Joe's family.