Zelphrie Obine "Zelph" Rush, 86, of Batesville died peacefully on August 21, 2019.

Zelph was born on August 22, 1932 in Knob Creek, AR., the first of three children to the late Jackson "Jack" and Julia Rush. He attended and graduated from Melbourne High School and was a Christian, and a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in West Batesville.

Zelph was a veteran of the United States Air Force and later, a successful businessman in Batesville. He was the owner of Rush Lanes and Recreation Center in the 1970's and '80's and later, Batesville Moving and Storage.

In addition to being a successful businessman, Zelph was a devoted family man. He spent many summers coaching his four sons in summer league baseball while they were growing up in Batesville. In addition, he spent many seasons coaching them through life. His life lessons extended to the many peoples' lives he touched through his many years operating the bowling lanes in Batesville. He helped raise a generation of kids who, still today, credit him with giving them direction in life. He was also a past member of the Batesville Booster Club and the Batesville Optimist Club.

Zelph is survived by "the love of his life," his wife of 62 years, Bobbie Jo (McClellan) Rush of Batesville, four sons; Michael Rush and wife Tracy of Southern Pines, N.C., Mark Rush and wife Lolita of Batesville, Kevin Rush of Batesville, and Kelly and wife Becky of Batesville. Zelph was blessed with four grandchildren; Halle Jo Henderson and husband Jake, Tyas and Taylor Rush, and Lexi Rush; and siblings Paul Rush and Gloria Colton of Washington state, in addition to many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 24 from 10 A.M. until 11 A.M. at Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne with services to begin immediately following at 11 A.M. Interment will follow in Comb's Cemetery in Melbourne.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that monetary donations be made to a fund set up in his honor at Merchant's and Planter's Bank in Batesville. Funds will benefit the Batesville High School Baseball Program and field maintenance.

Pallbearers: Mike Rush, Mark Rush, Kevin Rush, Kelly Rush, Paul Rush, Gary McClellan.

Honorary pallbearers: Dr. Greg Neville, Marvis Sherrill and Dr. Rickey Medlock.