Charles Rustenholtz Jr.
March 29, 1954 – August 6, 2024
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Lighthouse Community Church, 4321 S. 11th St., Kalamazoo. Friends may call on the family one hour prior to the service beginning at 12:00 p.m. noon at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charles Rustenholtz Guitar Scholarship at Crescendo Academy of Music, in c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Age 70, of Kalamazoo, passed away Tuesday morning, August 6, 2024. Chuck was born in Kalamazoo, on March 29, 1954, the son of Charles and Mabel (Pierce) Rustenholtz Sr. On October 27, 1974, he married Amy Jo Ferguson who survives. Chuck was a passionate musician and had been lead guitarist in many bands. He was a devoted Christian and he loved the Lord and sought to follow Christ. One way he displayed his faith was through his willing spirit. He was extremely generous with his time and energy. He knew how to help people. Chuck had connections everywhere. He could find anything for anyone. He was also a devoted and loving husband and father. His family loved him and he loved them. He will be missed by all who knew him. Besides his wife, Chuck is survived by his children, Jessica Rustenholtz, Emily (Shamika) Jackson, Tim Rustenholtz, Lindsey Rustenholtz; grandchildren, Bryce, Aislynn, Alexis, Kayla, Gavin, Promise, Zachary, Nick and Kingtrell; great-grandchildren, Yhannis and Ahnu; mother, Mabel, Rustenholtz; siblings, Steven (Donna) Rustenholtz, Jack (Donna) Rustenholtz, Sharon (Joe) Wyman; brother in law, Ronald Dybalski; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends. Chuck was preceded in death by his father; brother, William Rustenholtz; sister, Ellen Dybalski.
We’ve been friends for 30 years, chuck sold me a 286 computer then found out we play music too and he was off and running. For years we played in the band together, he always made me feel like i was worthy of being on stage even when i doubted it. I’ll miss the silly banter and teasing, and his rodney dangerfield impressions, along with his rendition of easy chair which he always sang for his mom. A couple months ago he explained that this was coming and he was ready but not ready, and yet he still wanted us to all get together for one last jam, i’m sorry it never happened. he was always more concerned about how i was doing over his own struggles. Lord bless him. I miss him.
chuck, i’ll miss you in a lot of ways. we had some great conversations at the hair salon, and some great memories with your family (like playing guitar at our wedding). i love you and promise to look after your family. to the rustenholtz family: sincerely sorry for your great loss. keep him alive in memories and conversations, and believe in your hearts you’ll see dad again some fateful day. i love you all.
Though I didn’t know Chuck well, I remember a time when he came to our home to offer my daughter guitar lessons, as she had just gotten an acoustic guitar and didn’t know the first thing about guitars. Many years later, he spent time with my grandson to help him navigate the world of electric guitars. He certainly didn’t have to reach out to either my daughter or grandson, but that was just the kind of generous person Chuck was. He will be sorely missed by our family.