Michael LaVern Rust, 76, of Baker City, previously, Mckenzie River and Burns, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home, on the early morning of March 26, 2025.

There will be no formal funeral, but a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

Mike was born at Sacred Heart General Hospital on May 7, 1948 in Eugene, to Raleigh Wilson Rust and Marjorie LaReta Smith Rust. Mike has two older sisters, Judith and Joan of Vida, Ore., on the Mckenzie River.

Mike attended school in the McKenzie River School District, grades 1-12, graduating in 1967 where he lettered in Basketball and met his sweetheart, Carla Joy Densely.

Mike and Carla were married in 1967, and together raised four healthy children, Brian Michael, Barbara Lee, James Andrew, and Raleigh David.

After Mike and Carla divorced, he married Beulah M. Cable and helped raise his stepsons Troy and Toby. 

Mike was a timber faller like his dad, but eventually moved forward with a career and was a member of the Labors Union and Operators Union. He loved making new friends and the camaraderie developed. Mike was a very social person, a collector of old cars, pickups, recreation vehicles, and other old things, including people. He was a thrifty man, loved God, country, and most of all, his children. He was an avid fan of President Trump, long before Trump was elected the first time. He was very kind with an infectious happy go lucky personality. He was a generous Christian man, giving away vehicles to those in need, letting people he just met live in his house; he never knew a stranger, everybody was a friend. He was a loving and wonderful father. “Why do birds suddenly appear every time you are near? Just like me, they want to be close to you,” as Barbara would sing to him in the mornings before school.

Mike has twelve surviving grandchildren, Madelyn Nielsen, Robert Rust, Marlea Rust, Tyler Moothart, Tarrah Moothart, Ronnie Borello, Michael Rust, Matthew Rust, Nevaeh Rust Smith, and Lillian Rust. He has several great grand-children, including Madison Wilhelm, Mackenzie Moothart, Lincoln Moothart, and baby Oliver Smith.

He was preceded in death by his parents; many friends and relatives; his youngest son, Raleigh; and grandson, Taran Moothart; his wife, Beulah Rust; stepson, Troy; and his trusty old dog, Max of 17 years, the great Old English Sheep Dog that he loved more than anyone. 

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Mike, the family suggests Best Friends of Baker Inc through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, PO Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com