OBITUARY - ADAM RUSCH, the son of John and Rachena Mann Rusch, was born November 12, 1915, seven miles southwest of Okeene, and passed away October 16, 2001. Adam lived in the Okeene area for 13 years then moved to Canton, Oklahoma. During the depression he worked as a harvest hand on a threshing machine crew. They made the wheat harvest in Kansas; picked peaches and hayed in Colorado; and picked potatoes, beans, and tomatoes in Utah and Idaho. Adam volunteered for service in the U.S. Army and was inducted into service January 23, 1941. Training was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Camp Barkley, Texas; Fort Devins, Massachusetts; Pine Camp, New York; and Camp Picket, Virginia. Special maneuvers were conducted in Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia. Amphibious training was held at Cape Cod, Massachusetts and in the Chesapeake Bay near Norfolk, Virginia. Adam was with the Oklahoma 45th Thunderbird Infantry Division, 120th Medical Battalion. On June 8, 1943, they boarded ships to Oran, North Africa in preparation for the next two and a half years in the European Theater. Battles and campaigns include Sicily; Salerno and Anzio Beaches in Italy; southern France; and Germany, totaling 511 days of combat. After suffering with Malaria several times, he was sent back to the U.S. and was separated from service the 26th day of June 1945 with an honorable discharge. Adam came back to Okeene settling on a farm southwest of Okeene. He was united in marriage to Eunice Hoffman on February 18, 1946. They moved to a farm seven and a half miles south of Okeene in 1949. There they raised wheat and cattle. He worked on the construction of the Okeene and Hitchcock CO-OP elevators. He was a member of the VFW Post 7203 in Okeene. He enjoyed the 45th Thunderbird reunions in Oklahoma City many years, getting reacquainted with his army buddies and remembering the joys, sorrows, and sufferings they endured. He loved his family and the many gatherings we had. He is survived by his wife Eunice; daughter, Barbara and husband Carl Dieterle of Enid, Oklahoma; son Terry Adam Rusch and wife Mary of Moore, Oklahoma; brother Dave Schaffer of Fairview; sisters, Mary Hoffman and Mollie Bouse, both of Okeene; six grandchildren, Terry Rusch and wife Angie of Okeene, Tim Rusch and wife Sheryl of Denton, Texas; Emily Rusch of Tyler, Texas; Ashley Rusch of Dallas, Texas; Jennifer and Jim Friend of Edmond, Oklahoma; Ginger Dieterle of Jacksonville, Florida; two step-grandchildren: Lori and Ed Freom of Springville, Arkansas and Devoe Cowdrey of Lawton, Oklahoma; thirteen great grandchildren: Kristyn, Thomas, Morgan, Alexandria, Kaylee, Ryan, Matthew, Dru, Phoenix, Jessica, Tucker, Kayla, and Jacob; many nieces, nephews, and friends. Adam was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and five sisters. As printed in the "OKEENE RECORD" November 1, 2001.