Russell A. Custer, Sr., 93, of Audubon
Russell (Gus) Custer, of Shannondell in Audubon, PA, passed away on March 30, 2018 at the age of 93. Gus was born at home in Oaks, PA on December 29, 1924. He graduated from Phoenixville High School in 1942. A member of Church of the Savior in Wayne at the time of his passing, Gus grew up attending St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Oaks.
Russell was predeceased by his wife, Anne, after 69 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by his siblings: sisters Mildred and Nedah, and brothers Irvin (Bud) and Elmer. Gus is survived by his two sons, Russell, Jr. (Kay), and Rick (Kathy) and by a granddaughter, Monica and Rick's stepsons, Charles and Sean, and many nieces and nephews.
After high school, Gus joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Barb, a submarine, during World War II. The commander of the Barb, the legendary Gene Fluckey, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for the sub's exploits in the Pacific Ocean and authored a book (Thunder Below) about his crew and their war patrols. Gus's name appears three times in the book. Upon his discharge from the Navy, Gus joined the family business along with his two brothers. They built Custer's Garage in Oaks into a reputable repair garage and then added on a school bus business which carried all the students of the Spring-Ford School District since the early 1960's. Even today, years after selling the bus business, one will see the Custer's Garage name stenciled on the side of all Spring-Ford's buses. Though a quiet man by nature, Gus led his family and friends by being an example to others of godly character such as honesty, integrity, and dependability.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Gus's funeral service at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Main Street at Fifth Avenue in Phoenixville, PA on Wednesday, April 4th at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at the Limerick Garden of Memories. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 126 Black Rock Road, P.O. Box 404, Oaks, PA 19456. Condolences may be offered online by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com