Mike "Rueben" Lushell

Robert Michael Lushell, 60, a former Rushville resident, passed away at his home in Frankfort, Indiana, of congestive heart failure, on June 9, 2013. Mike was born on February 13, 1953, in Rushville, the oldest child of Wallace M. and R. Colleen (Sherwood) Lushell. He was united in marriage with Christina (Meckes) Sheppard on April 13, 2011. Mike was a 1971 graduate of Rushville Consolidated High School and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, with a degree in special education. He served in the United States Army. “Rueben,” as he was affectionately known amongst his many friends, spent several years teaching and working with disabled children in the Indianapolis Public School system, the Noble Center, and in Fort Myers, Florida. Mike was an advocate for disabled adults and helped to rewrite policies & procedures protecting their civil rites in Indiana. He later became director of Rushville Parks and Recreation, then owner of Southeast Indiana Restoration and Mike’s Carpet Care. He was a member of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and the American Legion in Rushville. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2007, he became very knowledgeable on his disease and was appointed by the United States Department of Defense to serve on a committee in Washington DC to review and distribute grant funding for prostate cancer research. Mike’s greatest passion was sitting on a lake fishing and telling stories with his best friend, Joe Gulde. He also enjoyed golfing, watching sports, reading, cooking, basketball, hunting and spending time with those he loved. Above all, Mike was a man of faith and compassion whose memory will live on through his loving family and many friends. Survivors include his wife, Christina Lushell of Frankfort, brother, Mark (Marcia) Lushell of Carmel; sisters, Carol (Scott) Swaffar and Debi (Bob) Ware, both of Fishers; mother-in-law, Mary Helen Meckes of Rushville; step-son, Kiel Sheppard and step-daughters, Ashley Buckner of Frankfort; and Andrea Sheppard, at home; step-granddaughters, Alazaya Sheppard, and Layla, Lillian and Livia Buckner; all of Frankfort; three nephews, Kyle, Reid and Cooper Lushell of Carmel; and numerous friends, aunts, uncles and cousins. In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, aunts and uncles. Family and friends will gather to celebrate Mike’s life at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Moster Mortuary, Rushville, with Rev. Jan Dimick officiating. Visitation will be at Moster’s from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist or the Rushville Public Library.

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Mike "Rueben" Lushell

February 13, 1953 - June 9, 2013