Charles "Bill" W. Rist

Charles W. “Bill” Rist, 83, Kokomo, passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at his home. He was born March 25, 1929, in Grass Creek, Indiana, to Raymond Charles and Violet Ethel (Hizer) Rist. On December 10, 1950, he married Doris Jean (Zeider) Rist, and she preceded him in death on July 29, 2000. He graduated from Lucerne High School in 1946 and attended the Agricultural Program at Purdue University in 1947. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a home builder for about 60 years, retiring only recently. He enjoyed pitching horseshoes, bowling, farming, gardening, and growing gladiolus. He was an avid fisherman. He was a member of the Gladiolus Society, the Scroll Saw Club, and the Nut Growers Society. He was a generous man, ready to help anyone who needed it, and he cherished his children and grandchildren and loved going to their baseball games. Survivors include his children, Alicia (Kevin) Luksus, Selma, Indiana, and Kirk (Sherrie) Rist, Indianapolis; grandchildren, Bryan (Danica) Luksus, Las Vegas, Nevada, Amy Luksus, Fort Wayne, Kathryn (Jon VanPinxteren) Luksus, Little Rock, Arkansas, Brittany (Zac) Champbell, Louisville, Kentucky, and Brad Rist, Indianapolis; one great-grandson, Grayson Peter Luksus (soon to be born); close friend, Mary Ann Crites, Kokomo; and one brother, Van Archer, Granger. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Brett Rist; and two sisters, Beti Smith, and Mary Springer. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence may be expressed online at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.