RUSK, Thomas - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

The Fountain County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police and Danville, Ill., Police are conducting an interstate investigation of the death of Thomas Rusk, 72, of Veedersburg. An autopsy has revealed that Rusk died Thursday, March 21, from a blow to the head. He entered St. Elizabeth Hospital in Danville on March 5 for another illness.  A coroner’s inquest has been set for 10 a.m. April 4 at the Vermilion County Court House in Danville. Coroner Lon Goodwin said his death was apparently caused by a blow to the head by a blunt instrument.  Fountain County Sheriff Art Cruea said he is not calling it murder at this time, but is not ruling out the possibility of foul play.    Rusk entered St. Elizabeth Hospital suffering from symptoms of an apparent stroke, Goodwin said. He said Rusk was apparently in no condition to tell doctors what happened.  Funeral services for Rusk were at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Fishero-Dickerson Funeral Home in Veedersburg, with Rev. Cloyd Kiger officiating. He was buried in Rockfield Cemetery.    Born July 3, 1900, in Veedersburg, he was the son of El and Annan Underwood Rusk. He married Mae Booe Nov. 24, 1928, at Veedersburg, and she preceded him in death in 1954.    A life resident of Veedersburg, he had retired from the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad in 19** (cannot read year).     Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Paul (Marie) Oiler, Veedersburg, and Mrs. Jerry (cannot read) Clawson of Missouri; a son, Jim of Somerset, Calif; 13 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister and four brothers.