Rudolph A. "Rudy" Lustick, age 80, of E2792 Coaster Road, Trenary, MI died Wednesday August 29, 2007 surrounded by his family at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette after losing his battle with cancer.

Rudy, as he was known by friends and co-workers, was born November 28, 1926 in Trenary of immigrant parents Louis and Mary Oberstar-Levstik. They migrated from the Slovene province of Hapsburg, Austria. He was the ninth child of thirteen children. He attended school at Trenary and completed grade eight. He worked on the family farm until age eighteen. In November 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marines. He received training at Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY. He went to sea aboard wartime cargoships delivering war material to the Pacific war. Later years he served aboard military troopships as a butcher food service employee.

His Merchant Marine service ended in March 1955. He was proud of his service in the Merchant Marines. President Reagan, during his term in office, signed a law giving wartime Merchant Marines veteran status.

In 1955 he continued to work in meat markets in Flint, Michigan, Green Bay and Marquette. In 1964 he was hired at the Sawyer A.F.B. Commissary. He served as Foreman Meatcutter for fifteen of the twenty-three years, and he retired in 1987.

In retirement he visited New York, including the Trade Center. Ellis Island was of interest. His parents’ names were engraved on the immigrants’ wall of honor. They gave five sons to serve in this nation’s wars-an honor well deserved.

He made several voyages aboard twelve-passenger containerships to South America and New Zealand to relive his love of the sea. Rudy continued to live at the home his parents built some eighty years ago. From a proud Slovene: God Bless this great Nation.

Survivors include, 1 brother, Mirko Lustick of Powers and 1 sister, Bertha Berg of Rapid River, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Francis, Loretta and Vida, and 5 brothers, Fred, John, Max, Louis and Conrad.

Rudy’s family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. at the St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Trenary. Mass of Christian Burial services celebrating the life of Rudolph A. Lustick will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow officiating. Burial will follow services at the Trenary Cemetery. A luncheon will follow committal services at St. Rita’s Parish Hall. Please visit www.skradski-boycefuneralhomes.com where you can express your sympathy to the Lustick family or leave a memory tribute about Rudy.