Rocky Rash

Rocky Rash, 69, of Marshall, IL, wasn’t just a man—you might say he was more of a force of nature! Born at the Allen Sanitarium in Robinson, IL, on May 21, 1955, Rocky was destined to roam. He lived in Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, and Indiana, but Illinois pulled him back, having lived in Robinson, Newton, Marshall, and West Union for the latter part of his life.

He wasn’t afraid of hard work—or getting into a bit of trouble. He worked at Roadmaster in Olney until the company moved production to Mexico (which he never stopped grumbling about). He also put in his time at the Rowe Foundry in Martinsville, where he and his buddy Fred Smith were nicknamed “Rocky & Bullwinkle”—a moniker he detested. Yargus Manufacturing, mowing crews around Robinson, and even the Marshall McDonald’s were also part of his eclectic résumé. Wherever he worked, Rocky left an impression—whether through sheer stubbornness or the ornery pranks that came naturally to him. After all, Rocky had a mischievous side that could make you laugh and shake your head at the same time. His children could tell stories for hours about their unconventional upbringing—punishments involved engraved paddles and “country cruisin’” to find the perfect switch, while a skipped day of school earned his daughter April the task of peeling off his shoes and socks. (A barefoot wanderer for much of his life, he finally conceded to wearing shoes only when his kids couldn’t stand the smell anymore.)

A lover of simple pleasures, Rocky was happiest with a fishing pole in hand, catfishing along the Wabash River. He knew every good spot by heart—Darwin Ferry being a favorite—and while he might’ve taken the kids along, they had to stay quiet, or he would drop them off and come back by himself. And if they weren’t quiet enough or just needed some “fun,” he’d take them on a snipe hunt—a practical joke where he’d send them off to look for the mythical snipe, only to leave them to fend for themselves. The kids would eventually figure out they’d been had, but it became one of those family stories you never stop telling! When he wasn’t at the river, he was in the woods hunting mushrooms, ginseng, or persimmons. When the foraging was done, he’d bring home the day’s bounty, often turning it into something delicious, like his famous persimmon pudding. His signature BBQ sauce, a concoction of Pepsi, ketchup, and a few other mystery ingredients, was another family favorite, as was his lasagna—until it was too pricey to make.

No matter how tight things were, Rocky always found room in the budget for his Camel cigarettes—he was a loyal Camel man through and through, proudly accumulating enough Camel Cash to earn an impressive stash of branded gear. He smoked like a chimney, and while it may not have done wonders for his health, it became part of his rugged, unpolished charm. One with nature, Rocky had a soft spot for animals—sometimes to a fault. He once spotted a blacksnake stranded in the middle of the road and insisted on rescuing it by taking it to the river. It was all well and good until the snake started slithering around inside the car, causing the kids to bolt out in terror! Whether it was snakes, raccoons, or any other wild creature in need, Rocky believed they deserved a second chance. But for as much as he had a heart for animals, his family was at the center of his world. He may have been rough around the edges, but he loved his wife, kids, and grandkids fiercely. Rocky Rash lived like the river—wild, untamed, and full of life. Though he may be gone from sight, his legacy flows on, carried in the hearts of all who loved him.

He married Trudy Maxwell on October 1, 1988, and together, they built a life filled with humor, adventure, and plenty of stories. He is also survived by his daughters & sons-in-law, Jennifer & Scott Layton (West Terre Haute, IN) and April & Brad Short (Newton, IL); his sons, Dustin Rash (Paris, IL), Jeramie & Connie Ault (Robinson, IL), and Gary & CJ Cohoon (Robinson, IL); his grandsons, Skylar, Bryson, Nicholas, Nathaniel (and many more); granddaughters, Paige, Dezi, Joann, Mindy, Millie (and many more); great-grandkids, Delilah, Hailee, Jojo, Ari, Kyson, and Marshall; his sisters, Kara, Penny, Rosetta, Brenda, and Rhonda; his brothers, Randy Smith, Billy Smith, and Randy Harris (and yes—he had two brothers named Randy!); his stepmother, Karla Harris; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mom & stepfather, Elizabeth & Paul Smith; his father, Lester Harris; and his sister, Shirley Smith.

A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to his memorial fund, with checks made payable to "Goodwine Funeral Homes."