Paul Rusnack M.D.

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Paul A. Rusnack, MD, of Belleville, IL, born January 1, 1933, in Trenton, NJ, died Monday, August 3, 2020, at Belleville Memorial Hospital of COVID pneumonia. He was the only child of Paul and Sophie Rafalowski Rusnack who preceded him in death. His father passed away when Paul was 13 years old. His mother’s goal was to provide him with an education.

He grew up in Trenton, NJ, attending Trenton Catholic High School, and then earned his undergraduate degree at St. Francis College in Loretto, PA. He received his medical degree from Saint Louis University in 1959. After completion of his four-year pathology residency program at Saint Louis University, he then served as Director of the 5th Army Medical Laboratory in St. Louis, MO. In 1966 he began his professional career as a certified clinical pathologist at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, IL, until retirement in 1998. He was a member of St. Henry’s Parish for 27 years. He was a member of the St. Clair County Medical Society, and a member of the Belleville Rotary Club. His cherished group of friends were his constant golf partners. When golf was no longer possible, he enjoyed the company of his card playing friends. He was an avid Cardinal baseball fan even before he moved to St. Louis and married the love of his life.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Margo Pezolt Rusnack, whom he married on June 8, 1959; his two sons, Paul A. Jr. (Beth) Rusnack of Marietta, GA, and Joseph A. Rusnack of Belleville, IL; his three daughters, Renee (Brian) Schnelker of St. Louis, MO, Jeannine Miller of East Bend, NC, and Denise (Chris) Moffett of O’Fallon, IL; four grandchildren, Eric and Nicole Schnelker, and Sophie and Andrew Moffett; two brothers-in-law, Lambert Padberg and Norman (Adela) Pezolt; and a sister-in-law, Jeanne (Jerry) Billa.

Memorials may be made to St. Francis College, Loretta, PA,  http://francis.edu/, the Smile Train, or to the Catholic Urban Programs, http://catholicurbanprograms.org/give/. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Funeral:  Funeral and burial will be private because of the COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS. There will be a future celebration of Paul’s Life when it is safe to gather.

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25 Comments on Paul Rusnack M.D.

BOURGEON Jean-Claude said : Guest Report Oct 19, 2020 at 8:43 AM

Chère Denise, Cher Christopher, Au hasard de nos visites sur Internet nous venons d’apprendre le décès du Papa de Denise. Nous voulons vous exprimer notre très sincère affection. Nous n’oublions pas les trop brefs moments de convivialité que nous avons passés en votre compagnie, en Bretagne, en 2002. Très cordialement à vous Jean-Claude et Françoise Bourgeon Messac bourgeonjcl@wanadoo.fr Dear Denise, Dear Christopher, During our visits on the Internet we have just learned of the death of Denise’s Dad. We want to express our sincere affection to you. We do not forget the too brief moments of conviviality that we spent with you, in Brittany, in 2002. Kind regards to you

  • Belleville
  • IL
Peter Cerneka said : Guest Report Aug 17, 2020 at 2:06 PM

Margo, My deepest sympathies. It has been many years. I remember you &b Paul with a warm heart and a smile on my face. I especially remember how kind he was when my Barbara was at Barnes in cancer treatment. I am so sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family. Much peace.

  • Lebanon
  • Illinois.
Noel Moran Vickers said : Guest Report Aug 16, 2020 at 12:45 PM

Dear Renee and family, What a wonderful man. I will always cherish the memory of how your whole family opened their hearts and your home to me every Thanksgiving coming from UD. Deep faith, love, support and humor are qualities that I will always associate with your dad and your whole family. My love and prayers go out to you all.

  • Evergreen
  • CO
Anna Gabriel said : Guest Report Aug 14, 2020 at 12:08 PM

Sincere condolences to you Margo and your Family. Anna

  • Swansea
  • IL 62226-4239
Anna Gabriel said : Guest Report Aug 13, 2020 at 3:53 PM

Sincere condolences for Margo & Family. Our lives intersected @ St. E’s & Fr. Karban’s classes. He was a good Man!

  • Swansea
  • IL
Mary Reuter said : Guest Report Aug 12, 2020 at 1:55 PM

Margo, I am so sorry to hear about your husband Paul’s passing. I remember him from Belleville Rotary. He was a gem who was always well respected. I know you will truly miss him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  • St Louis
  • MO
Patrice and Fred Curtis said : Guest Report Aug 12, 2020 at 1:26 PM

Dear Margo and family, please accept our condolences with Paul’s passing. He was such a warm and funny man. His friendship meant so much to us! He will never be forgotten. Our thoughts as well as our prayers are with you.

  • Fort Myers
  • Florida
Joe and Tottie Bassler said : Guest Report Aug 12, 2020 at 11:50 AM

Dear Margo, Our sincere sympathy to you and you family. Paul was a wonderful person. May Our Lord help you through this sad time.

  • Bellevill e
  • Il
Glenda Martiszus (Boxdorfer) said : Guest Report Aug 12, 2020 at 7:39 AM

Dr Rusnack was one of our pathologists at St Elizabeth’s when I was in the MT program back in 1979-1980. He was always so kind and funny. The past few years, he has played cards with my Dad , Alvin Boxdorfer, at PSOP. Thank you for being a part of our life journey.

  • Swansea
  • Illinois
Frank Cange said : Guest Report Aug 11, 2020 at 8:22 PM

Dear Margo & Family: you have my deepest condolences on the loss of Paul. I enjoyed the company of both of you in Fr. Karban's Scripture class. You will be in my prayers at your loss Frank Cange

  • Belleville
  • Il
Justin said : Guest Report Aug 11, 2020 at 7:51 AM

Dear Renee and family. I’m sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family! It looks to me that Paul was a wonderful father, husband, and friend! My his happy memories live on forever!

  • Washington
  • Mo
Bill Southworth said : Guest Report Aug 11, 2020 at 6:44 AM

A man of substance and honorable principles who shared these values with his fellow Man. Contributed so much to Belleville and St Elizabeth’s. Thankful he was here, sad he is gone. But never to be forgotten. Thank you, Paul.

  • St Louis
  • Missouri
Stan Towerman said : Guest Report Aug 10, 2020 at 10:04 AM

Dear Margo & Family, I met Paul when he was a resident 62 years ago. It's been a joy for me to take care of his insurance needs for all these years. He was a Mensch.(a Yiddish expression meaning a gentleman & a good person ) He was all of that. And I will miss him. Sincerely, Stan

  • St. Louis
  • MO
Zoe Perkins said : Guest Report Aug 10, 2020 at 9:18 AM

Margo, so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. Over the years you volunteered at SLAM I enjoyed hearing about your family. I enjoyed meeting him at your house when a group of us ventured to your lovely home. With love, Zoe.

  • St. Louis
  • MO
Ruth Auer Chady said : Guest Report Aug 09, 2020 at 8:40 PM

Dear Jeannine & Renee, So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Please know that you & your families our in my families thoughts & prayers at this time. May your father’s body & soul Rest In Peace.

  • Belleville
  • Il
Tom & Margie Reaka said : Guest Report Aug 09, 2020 at 4:50 PM

Margo & Family, Our deepest sympathies. We so enjoyed our time and friendship together at St. Henry’s.

  • Freeburg
  • Illinois
Mark Etling said : Guest Report Aug 09, 2020 at 1:34 PM

My sincere sympathy to Margo and family over the passing of Paul. He and Margo attended my talks at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows and at St. Nicholas Parish many times. I'm grateful for that, and for a life well lived. May he rest in peace.

  • St. Louis
  • Missouri
Jerry Basinski said : Guest Report Aug 09, 2020 at 11:58 AM

Tudor and I offer our heartfelt condolences to Margo and the rest of the Rusnack family. We have many fond memories of our times with Paul. We lost a good man. Rest in peace Paul.

  • Belleville
  • IL
Sue & Tom Davis said : Guest Report Aug 09, 2020 at 11:36 AM

To the Rusnack Family My heart goes out to all of you He was a great man that I will never forget. I am sure that my dad is there waiting for him so they can reminisce of all the good times they had together. I will always remember the fun times we had out at Matawalka and at the lake of the ozarks. Take care of each other. Sue Davis

  • Belleville
  • Il
Betty Renz said : Guest Report Aug 09, 2020 at 11:20 AM

Margo I saw the death notice in the paper of Pauls passing. You have my deepest sympathy. I don't know if you remember me but I remember you. We were both newly married I believe it was around 1961. We shared a 4 family flat on Osceola St.In St.Louis. you had twin girls and I had 2 girls one 14 months old and one a newborn.I lived downstairs on the right and you lived upstairs on the left. My husband Dick passed away in 2009 of Lung Cancer. I also had twins 2 boys in 1964. I live in SouthCounty now and I have 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. I hope you are doing well. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. God Bless Betty Renz

  • St.Louis
  • Mo.
Joan mcginnis said : Guest Report Aug 09, 2020 at 11:09 AM

To Renee, your mom and whole family, so sorry that your Dad suffered through Covid but he is certainly at peace in his eternal home and will be watching over all of you. My heart goes out to you and I pray that you will feel his calm as well. Jooan

  • Saint Louis
  • Mo
Brian and Cheri Campbell said : Guest Report Aug 09, 2020 at 10:59 AM

We are heartbroken for all of you. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love to you all Brian and Cheri

  • Fairview hgts
  • Illinois
Connie Schmollinger said : Guest Report Aug 09, 2020 at 10:51 AM

Dear Renee, Jeannine, and Denise: I was sorry to read of your dear father's passing in today's paper. I know he was a wonderful man through knowing you, his dear daughters. He also cared for some dear friends from Greenville and was most compassionate. I think of you three often and remember your love for learning and how much fun we had in class or in writing conferences. I know you are making your parents proud by being your best selves. I offer you big hugs and much love, Connie Schmollinger

  • St Louis
  • MO
Gail Warden said : Guest Report Aug 09, 2020 at 10:25 AM

To our Rusnack family, we wish we could be there with you all to share in your sorrow and remember all the wonderful times. Love to you all, Sam and Gail.

  • St.Louis
  • Mo.
David Voelker said : Guest Report Aug 09, 2020 at 3:24 AM

Dear Rusnack-s With sentiments of sympathy and many fond memories. fr dave voelker

  • Colorado Springs
  • CO

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