East Ryegate, VT- Kenneth E. "Bud" DeRusha, 79, formerly of Farm Street, died on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the Hanover Terrace, Hanover, NH.

Kenneth was born in Benton, NH on May 2, 1936, to Kenneth R. and Marjorie (Elliott) DeRusha. He graduated from McIndoe Falls Academy, class of 1954. Kenneth served with the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1959. He married Barbara Chapman.

Kenneth worked for a brief time at the former Ryegate Paper Company. He later worked as a mail sorter for the U.S. Postal Service at the White River Junction Facility. Kenneth later married Violet Quimby on August 28, 1982.

He was a member of the Ross-Wood American Legion Post #20 in Woodsville. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and the annual reunion of the East Ryegate Village families that he established.

He was predeceased by his mother, Marjorie Elliott on August 20, 2002; his father, Kenneth R. DeRusha on July 23, 2000; his first wife, Barbara-Ann Chapman; his second wife, Violet DeRusha on April 28, 2014; a step daughter, Sandra Jean; a sister, Mary DeRusha; a brother, William J. DeRusha; and a brother-in-law, Bob Foster.

He is survived by three children, Randy, Leanne, and Tara all of North Carolina; five step sons, Michael Bedell and wife Margie of South Windsor, CT, Wendell Bedell and wife Diane of Nashua, NH, Keith Bedell and wife Kathleen of Alton Bay, NH, Gary Bedell and Debra of Spencer, MA, and David Bedell and partner Gary of Lempster, NH; a step-daughter, Cheryl of Derry, NH; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; three sisters, Audrey Johnson of Woodsville, NH, Margaret "Margie" Foster-Cota and husband Don of Peacham, VT, and Jeanie Scott and husband Paul of Benton, NH; a brother, Chester "Chet" DeRusha and wife Susan of Wilton, ME; along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours will be on Saturday, June 4, 2016 from 10 to 11 AM with a memorial service to follow at 11 AM, at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH, with Pastor Wayne Chevalier from the Benton Bible Chapel, officiating.

Burial will follow at the Wells River Cemetery, Wells River, VT.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cottage Hospital, PO Box 2001, Woodsville, NH 03785.