Crawfordsville – Barbara J. Heath Rusk, age 87, died unexpectedly in her home, July 12, 2016. She was born in Indianapolis, May 16, 1929 daughter of the late Cleve and Anna Brown Heath. She was formerly married to the late Kenneth David Rusk with whom she had children. For many years she was a farm-wife, active on their Waynetown area farms.

Barbara was a 1947 graduate of Waynetown High School. At the age of 47 she enrolled in the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, where she was the oldest student. She was very proud to have graduated number one in her class! She spent her career in the medical field employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse at the Northridge Medical Clinic. She continued to work a few days a week until just a few years ago. She was known and appreciated for her empathy and her calming demeanor with the patients at the clinic. She was very perseverant and worked hard to overcome life's adversity. She was a strong willed woman who exhibited a 'special motherly love' for her boys. She was baptized at Wesley Chapel and belonged to First Baptist Church in Crawfordsville.

Music was an important part of her life. She sang for years in the choir at the First Baptist Church in Crawfordsville and also the Crawfordsville Community Choir. Her faith was strong and she was an unselfish woman, as demonstrated by her many 'mission trips' to the Dominican Republic. Barbara was talented, as an artist, enjoying oil paintings, and as a seamstress. For years she made specialty dresses for square dancing. She was a 50 year plus, member of the OES, Alamo Chapter.

Surviving are: three sons: Dennis L. (wife Amber) Rusk and David B. (wife Beth) Rusk, both of rural Crawfordsville and Paul E. (wife Carol) Rusk of Waynetown. A sister, Mary Beard of Speedway and six grandchildren: Megan (husband Brent Creek), Erin Blaydes, Brandy ( husband Rex Ryker), Tiffany, Heath and Kenneth Rusk. Nine great-grandchildren also survive along with her special cat C.C.

Barbara's family will greet friends, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 16, 2016 at the First Baptist Church, (1905 Lebanon Rd/32 East) Crawfordsville. Funeral Services at 1:00 p.m. at the church, following the visitation, with Pastor Isaac Zull officiating. Burial will follow in Waynetown Masonic Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be directed to First Baptist Church. Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate is assisting the family. Visit us at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to leave a condolence or share a memory.