Hugh Bailey

Hugh "Rusty" Merritt Bailey, 60, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and formerly of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2013, at his home in Council Bluffs after an illness and a brief stay in the hospital.


Rusty was born January 3, 1953, to Charles and Mavis (Porter) Bailey in Atlantic, Iowa. He was raised in Atlantic and moved from there in 1974. Rusty traveled around for a few years before settling down in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In 1977 he was married to Vicki Bradley. They were married for 11 years.

He was a trained body/fender repairman. Rusty worked for Griffin Pipe in Council Bluffs the majority of his married years. After leaving Griffin Pipe, he then went to work for Children's Square U.S.A, for about 5 years, counseling children. His work at Children's Square U.S.A. sparked a desire in him to continue working with children, so he then enrolled in college. Rusty started college at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, and transferred to University of Nebraska at Omaha and obtained his bachelor's degree in 2004. After leaving Children's Square U.S.A. he began over-the-road truck driving for various companies and continued to do this until his health began to fail.

Rusty was a lifelong member of the Lutheran faith. He also belonged to A.A. and was very involved with public speaking for A.A. Rusty was a licensed scuba diver and loved being in the water. He enjoyed music and playing the drums. In his younger years his loved to play all sports and later developed an interest in watching all sports. He had a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles and classic cars. He enjoyed going to the movies and watching movies on TV. However, his greatest love was his family and religion. His family meant the world to him and he enjoyed his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He is survived by his sister, Cathie and husband, Leroy Littlefield of Strawberry Point, Iowa; his brother, Richard "Rick" Bailey of West Des Moines, Iowa; his nieces and nephews, Tamera (Doug) Jones of Highland, KS, Allen (Jennifer) Littlefield of Dunkerton, Iowa, and Tiffany Bailey and her significant other Aaron Schofield of Knox, IL; his great-nieces and great-nephews, Emily and Riley Jones, Alivia and Claire Littlefield, Grace and Carter Chrisman and Katelyn Schofield.

Rusty was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mavis Bailey.

Visitation with family will be from 9:00 -11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2013, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa.

Funeral services will be at 11:00a.m. Thursday, April 18, 2013, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa, with burial in the Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic, Iowa.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.