Barbara Rush

Barbara Ruth Putnam Rush, 88, of Coshocton, Ohio, passed away at Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus on Sunday, November 30, 2014 due to heart failure.She was born on January 26, 1926 in Millersburg, Ohio, the daughter of Judge Robert B. and Eva (Ducommen) Putnam. Her mother died of tuberculosis in 1931. In 1942 Judge Putnam married Blanche Killian, who became a beloved mother to Barbara.Barbara, affectionately known as Bunkie, graduated from Millersburg High School in 1944 and went on to attend Ohio Wesleyan University where she received a BA in Psychology in 1948. She married Donald W. Rush of Massillon, Ohio on August 21, 1948, and moved to Coshocton in 1950. Barbara and Don have lived in Coshocton ever since, with the exception of 1956-1959 when they lived in Haynesville, LA while Don established Edmont's new manufacturing facility.Barbara was a dearly beloved member of the community. She had been active in Grace United Methodist church for more than 60 years in a number of leadership positions. She served as a Trustee of the Library Museum Board for many years and remained very active in Friends of the Library. From 1976 to 1986, Barbara was an Insurance Specialist with Johnson Wright Clinic. In all these positions, she distinguished herself as a selfless humanitarian who always put others before herself.Barbara is survived by her sister, Grace (90) Schantz of Orville, Ohio; her spouse, Don (90) of Coshocton; and her three children: Charlotte (63) Bailey and her husband, Joe Bailey of Scottsdale, AZ, Robert (60) W. Rush and his wife, Lora of Pataskala, OH, and Gloria (55) White and her husband, R. Daniel White of Elkhart, IN. Barbara has three grandchildren, Hannah Rush (20) and Christopher (17) and Katherine (16) White; and five great-grandchildren, Ruthie (8), Faye (7), Lola (6), Gus (4) and Lane (2) Bailey.A memorial service celebrating Barbara's life will take place at Grace United Methodist Church at 11 AM on Friday, December 5, preceded by greeting hour with the family at 9:30 AM in the church parlor. Reverends Craig Redecker and Dr. William L. McFadden will preside.In lieu of flowers, contributions in Barbara's name may be made to Grace United Methodist Church to support youth programs. An online memorial is located at www.given-dawsonfuneralhome.com