Henry W. Ruston

Henry W. Ruston, 84, of Evansville, died on Thursday, December 1, 2005, at his home.

Mr. Ruston was born in Evansville on August 25, 1921, to the late William E. and Emma (Rust) Ruston.

A graduate of Bosse Elementary School and Bosse High School, he attended the University of Evansville, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Mr. Ruston also attended Miami University in Coral Gables, Florida, for one year, after which he entered the newly formed United States Air Force as a flight instructor.

During World War II, he served in Jackson, Mississippi, and in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he trained French pilots.

On February 13, 1944, he married Helen Niednagel, and together they purchased the floral company her grandparents founded, Waldemar-Niednagel Flowers of Distinction at 401 South Green River Road, which they operated for 33 years until their retirement in 1976. Helen Ruston died in 1997.

Throughout his professional career, Mr. Ruston was active in the Florists Association and served as its president. In recognition of their contributions to the community and for their generous support to the University of Southern Indiana, both Henry and Helen Ruston received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from USI in 1995. The outdoor terrace in the Liberal Arts Center on the USI campus is also named in their honor.

Mr. Ruston was an active member of the Jaycees, Kiwanis, Elks, Lessing Lodge 464 F&AM, Scottish Rite, Hadi Temple, Royal Order of Jesters Court 102 and the Kennel Club. He was a life member of the University of Southern Indiana Foundation and in 2002 received the Special Recognition Award from the USI Alumni Association. Mr. Ruston was a lifelong member of Bethel United Church of Christ.

On August 5, 2000, Mr. Ruston and Betty Jane (Taylor) Hopkins were married. She died on July 23, 2002.In recognition of their continued interest in USI and their generous support for its students, in 2003, the University dedicated a new student residence building, the Henry W. and Betty Jane Ruston Student Residence Hall, in their honor.

Surviving are three adult stepchildren, Helen Jane Hopkins and John Hopkins, both of Cincinnati, Ohio, and David Hopkins of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 6, at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 South Hebron Avenue, with Dr. Joseph W. Fraccaro and Dr. H. Ray Hoops officiating.

Visitation will be on Monday, December 5, from 3 to 7 p.m., at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Dr. Ruston's name to benefit the University of Southern Indiana may be made to the University of Southern Indiana Foundation, 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, Indiana 47712.