Beryl E. Rush, 95, Columbia City, died at 3:12 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, at Miller’s Merry Manor where she had been a resident since Nov. 1.

She was born Sept. 30, 1921 in Stollings, W. Va. a daughter of Charles D. and Grace E. (Hall) Shanklin. Her formative years were spent in Stollings. She graduated from Logan High School, Morehead State Teachers College in Kentucky and then Marshall College in Huntington, W. Va.

Beryl taught school in Kentucky for a year and West Virginia for two years.

On March 11, 1944 she was united in marriage to Allan N. Rush. They made their first home in Franklin before moving to Columbia City in 1947. Mr. Rush died Dec. 9, 1985.

From the mid 1960s until 1984, Beryl assisted customers at The Style Shop.

Her memberships included Grace Lutheran Church where she was a Sunday School teacher for 35 years, a member of Altar Guild, Music & Worship Committee and WELCA Deborah Group. She was also a member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority for nearly 70 years, holding most offices and serving on several committees. Additionally, she was a member of Coterie for over 50 years, Whitley County Literacy Council serving as a tutor, Friends of the Peabody Public Library serving as secretary of the board for several years and People Preserving History.

Surviving relatives include a son, Michael D. (Jo Ellen) Rush of Columbia City; a daughter, Linda (Michael) Berwert of South Bend; five grandchildren: Nathan Rush, Neil Rush, Betha Rush, Andy Berwert and Scott Berwert; six great grandchildren: Lauren and Claire Rush, Hayden and Liam Rush, Hollyn Berwert and Madelyn Gibbs; two nieces, Linda Bloom and Mary Martin, both of Charleston W.Va.; and a nephew, Cary Martin of Largo, Fla.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Guyneth Martin and Mary Carolyn Shanklin; and a brother, James Shanklin.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30 at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with visitation one hour prior. The burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will also be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with a Delta Theta Tau twilight service at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Preferred memorials are to Grace Lutheran Church Food Pantry or Community Foundation of Whitley County.