David W. Lust, age 94, of Prospect, died peacefully Monday evening, January 13, 2014, at the Genesis Presidential Center in Marion following a brief three week illness.
On January 17, 1919, Dave was born in Marion, Ohio, one of six children of the late Elmer and Alice (Neidhart) Lust. Being raised on a farm during the depression, he went to school until the 8th grade, then dropped out to help his father care for their land and livestock.
At the age of 22, Dave enlisted to serve his beloved country in the U.S. Army Air Corps during the fight of World War II. He served nearly four years and had been stationed in Alaska, the Philippines, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, earning two bronze stars for his bravery as a paramedic, ambulance driver and infantryman.
Upon his honorable discharge, Dave returned home to marry a young lady who lived across the railroad tracks from their farm, Violet Lingrel. They were married on May 5, 1946, at the Trinity Lutheran Church. They shared over 56 wonderful years of marriage and lovingly raised four children.
A tireless worker, Dave dedicated his entire life to farming the land he purchased from his father. In addition to taking care of their crops, he also raised hogs and cattle. He also didn’t believe in taking vacations, because he didn’t like to be away from the farm for any extended period of time.
For over 25 years, Dave also drove a school bus for the Pleasant School Systems.
Caring for the members of his community, Dave helped to organize the Pleasant Township Fire Department, where he served as a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years.
A man of faith, Dave was a lifelong member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was proud to be their oldest member and deacon. He was very active in the church over the years, and held nearly every leadership chair. He also was a member of the American Legion Post #605 in Waldo, and the Prospect Farmer’s Exchange.
When asked to describe Dave, his family put it simply, “he was just plain ornery”. He was a fun loving man, and his entire family were the loves of his life! He was always out visiting and checking on his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even his nieces and nephews. Always taking them his famous vegetable soup if they were ill, and looking forward to their hugs..
He will be dearly missed by his four children: David Lust of Waldo, Donald (Sonja) Lust of Ludowici, Georgia, Marge (Jack) Ferriman of Marion, and Marilyn (Bill) Hollaway of Waldo; 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including his wife and parents, Dave was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold and Arthur Lust; three sisters: Esther Halt, Martha Crabtree, and Mary Thomas; a daughter-in-law, Pat Lust; and a great niece, Stephanie Lust.
The Lust family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on what would have been his 95th birthday, Friday, January 17th, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 4535 Smeltzer Rd., Marion, with Pastor Ed Wahl officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow in Waldo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and Stephanie K. Lust Scholarship Fund, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve David’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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