Robert Ruster

Robert Dean Ruster, age 79 of Cedar Springs, passed away Friday evening, March 17, 2017 while watching his beloved Spartans in his home under the loving care of his family and Heartland Hospice. The son of Sam & Genyeth (Wright) Ruster was born on June 22, 1937 in Leslie. A graduate of both Michigan State University and Aquinas College, Robert was an avid Spartan fan. On July 2, 1981, in Grand Rapids he married Debra A. Woznick. An educator with Rockford Public Schools, he began teaching at Lakeside Elementary and spent most of his career at Rockford High School teaching English. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Genyeth; a daughter, Michelle Mohn; his father-in-law, Arthur Woznick; brothers-in-law, Andy McFarlan and Mark Mollo; and a grandson, Shaun Steven Mohn. Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Debra Ruster; two sons, Shane (Allison Burr) Ruster, and Jay Ruster; four daughters, Laura (David) Roznowski, Brenda (Thomas) Haroutunian, Renee Mills, and Wendy (Joshua) Hartle; grandchildren, Axel, Caitryn, Torin, Lyrah "Little Bug", James Robert, Janaki, Ali, Alicia, Shannon, Trey, Jenae, and Terren; a brother, Leslie (Ruth) Ruster; two sisters, Martha (James) Wysocki, and Elaine Sanford; mother-in-law, Marlene Woznick; siblings-in-law, Dana McFarlan, Kim (Fernando) Martinez, Kerri (Douglas) Bradley, and Jodi Landstra; special friends, Joan & Jim Jandernoa (with whom he and Debra enjoyed many wonderful days and nights on Lake Michigan at Grand Haven); many nieces and nephews and great-grandchildren. Honoring his wishes, cremation has taken place. Robert preferred that relatives and friends remember him by "...having dinner in a nice restaurant, breaking open a good bottle of wine, and listening to some Springsteen, Stevie Ray, or Clapton". In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Point Betsie Lighthouse (one of Bob's favorite places to relax) 3701 Point Betsie Rd., Frankfort, MI 49635. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Ruster, please visit our flower store.