In memory of Jeff Rushing

April 9th, 2008 at 12:47pm Mary Kaull

One of our editors asked this morning, “What happened to Jeff Rushing?”

I figured if she missed the story, several of you might have, too. Jeff, 45, who died of a brain aneurysm in late March, was a member of our Voters Panel at the Register Star. He was very outspoken, informed and passionate in his opinions. In the first voters panel meeting in February, Jeff was in a group that was not at all homogeneous in terms of political thought. He was conservative, and he was not shy about it. But he was polite to those with whom he disagreed and he did not monopolize the discussion. One of his colleagues on the voters panel, Don Gugliuzza, said in the “Why We Vote” blog on the RRS website: “In the short time I knew Jeff, I came to realize that this community, this state, this country needs more people like Jeff.”

According to a story in the RRS after his death, Rushing was in sales for an engineering firm in the Chicago suburbs. Married with children, he was a talented musician who played the drums for his church and was a fitness buff. He also “made time to fish in Kentucky and Canada, watch NASCAR and cheer on the Chicago Bears.”

Here’s his obituary for all you who might have missed it:

Jeffery Rushing, 45 (South Beloit)

JEFFERY PAUL RUSHING, 45 SOUTH BELOIT - Jeffery Paul Rushing, 45, of South Beloit died Tuesday, March 25, in University Hospital, Madison, Wis., after a sudden illness. Jeffery was born March 7, 1963, in Rockford, the son of Jerry and Wilma (Newman) Rushing. He graduated from Open Bible Academy in 1981 and attended Rock Valley College. He married Buffy (Boyce) Wallace on May 3, 2006. Jeffery was employed as a sales engineer by Fluid Power Engineering Co., Inc. of Elk Grove Village, since 1992. He was a member of New Life Assembly of God, Janesville, Wis., and the Beloit YMCA. Jeffery played drums with the worship team and blessed many by singing songs with his wonderful voice. He loved softball and was part of the 1990 Regional Class D championship team for Charles Joseph Co. He was chosen to the All City Basketball team and guarded against Walter Payton. He was a big fan of Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Dr. “J”, NASCAR, especially Jeff Gordon, and Da Bears. Jeff loved working out, politics, fishing in Kentucky and Canada, as well as the classic bands, The Eagles and Led Zeppelin. Jeff Rushing is survived by wife, Buffy Rushing of South Beloit; children, Rachel and Aaron Rushing of Machesney Park, stepchildren, Ryann, Devan, Jordan Wallace; parents, Jerry and Wilma Rushing of Thayer, Mo.; brother, Patrick (Marlis) Rushing of Caledonia; nephews, Sean Rushing, Tyler Boyce, Dylan Stout; nieces, Laura Rushing and Ariele Stout; aunts, uncles, other relatives and many friends. Service at noon Friday, March 28, in New Life Assembly of God, 2416 N. Wright Road, Janesville, Wis.; with visitation from 10 a.m. to time of service; Pastors Michael Jackson and Todd Pope will officiate. After a luncheon at the church, burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Machesney Park. Assisting Jeffery Rushing’s family is Henke-Clarson Funeral Home, Janesville, Wis., 608-741-1713.

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized