Charles Seater Spencer

Mr. Charles “Rusty” Spencer, age 96, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025. He was born May 2, 1928, to Lucy Pearl Taylor and Francis Miriam Spencer in Swanville, Minnesota. Rusty was one of 12 siblings raised on the family farm. He was the last surviving sibling. It was a rough childhood for Rusty with his father dying when he was young and his mother suffering from epilepsy. He lived between his two sisters’ households until he enlisted in the Navy, January 1946. Rusty was a Patriot and despite losing three brothers in the war, he enlisted serving in the Navy for two years and then the Air Force for 12 years. He rose to staff sergeant and was responsible for T33 trainer as well as the F-80 fighter jet and flight hours for our pilots.

Being discharged from the Air Force, Rusty moved around but settled in Hutchinson, Kansas, where he met and married his late wife, Evelyn “Evie” Spencer. He worked for Derby gas station, then he decided to open his own Mobil gas station and it later became Rusty & Evie’s Muffler Shop and it became very successful. He retired in 1993.

In retirement, Rusty enjoyed woodworking in his shop, refurbishing old cars, especially Fords, and traveling to Georgia several times a year to see his daughter, granddaughter and grandson-in-law.

In 2003, his granddaughter’s dream finally came true, when Rusty and Evie moved to Rome, Georgia to be closer to their family. Unfortunately, Evie passed away in 2004 but Rusty stayed busy with his hobbies and going to coffee every morning at McDonalds with all his buddies. He loved playing cards and checkers, and he never met a stranger. Rusty loved John Wayne movies, memorabilia and could never get enough of a good Western. He would yodel for anyone and would sing songs he just made up himself. Rusty always said when things go wrong, its not too serious. He never worried about the future, he lived for each day to its fullest.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, his wife and daughter, Gwen Krueger.

Rusty is survived by his granddaughter, Glendene Naguszewski and her husband Bill, a son, Alford Spencer and his wife Kriss, a daughter, Marie Richardson, and 6 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild.

The family wishes to thank Brookdale Assisted Living, Spires Rehab and Heyman Hospice for their care, love and support. A visitation will be on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Daniel’s Funeral with a service to follow.

Daniel’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Charles Spencer.