Russell “Rusty” Tietsort, 60, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away after a short illness, Saturday (July 16, 2011).

The son of Keith Eldon and Marilyn Rosalee (Barnhouse) Tietsort, he was born September 29, 1950 in Adair County, Missouri.

Rusty is survived by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathy and Herb Nunez of Los Angeles, CA and Mary and Willie Tuggle of LaPlata, MO; one step-brother, Greg Cooley and wife Roxy of Kirksville, MO; two aunts, Merle Lewis of Hartford, MO and Amolee Weatherly and husband Guy of Lone Pine, CA; nine grandchildren, Samantha, Nathan and Jacob Sutor, Dusty Kuntz, Jacob and Brittany Stogsdill, and Jack, James and Justin Hartry. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Rusty received his education in the Kirksville public schools. He then served in the United States Army from June 18, 1970 to December 20, 1971. Rusty resided in Bowling Green as number of years until moving to Kirksville, in 2002. Rusty was then employed for Adair Lumber, later for Wal-Mart and last with Ellen Tomich Group Homes.

Rusty hobbies included fishing, deer and turkey hunting, barbequing and trying new recipes, gardening and playing music with his friends. Rusty was a self taught musician, playing the guitar, banjo and harmonica.

Rusty will be sadly missed by his family and close friends.

At a young age Rusty attended the Hartford Baptist Church in Hartford, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday (July 20, 2011) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with one hour of visitation held before the service. Pastor Charles Jackson will officiate the service. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Bill Defries, Greg Cooley, Terry Robinson, Mark Stribling, Parker Osborn and Dennis Dew. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Ratliff, Bill Otten, Del Lawson, Richard Sullivan, Jeff Martin, Tommy Hays Sr. and his grandchildren.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Rusty may be made to the LaPlata Nursing Home. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.