Gus Baltrusaitis Obituary

We are devastated to announce that Kestutis Jonas Baltrusaitis, known to most as Gus, age 85, of East Prairie, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of Friday, April 21, 2023. He was surrounded by his loving family when he went to be with the Lord. Gus was born on May 8, 1937, to Aleksandras and Barbora Baltrusaitis in Vilnius, Vilniaus, Lithuania. He migrated with his parents and siblings to the United States in 1944 during WWII. In 2009, Gus retired from Seagal Roberts and spent his free time between washing towels at his wife's beauty shop and on the golf course with his grandkids and friends. Gus is survived by his wife of 33 years, Joyce Baltrusaitis, of East Prairie, MO; his three children, Richard Baltrusaitis of Grand Rapids, MI, and his wife Pam, Thomas Baltrusaitis of East Prairie, MO, and Steven Baltrusaitis of Australia, and his wife Jenny; his daughter-in-law, Betsy DeHaan of Florida; his grandkids, Joshua Baltrusaitis of East Prairie, MO, and his wife Casidy, Colton Baltrusaitis of East Prairie, MO, Lynde Stevens of Gainesville, FL, and her husband Kevin, Annie Baltrusaitis of Grand Rapids, MI, Melissa Baltrusaitis, of Grand Rapids, MI; his brother, Vic Baltrusaitis of Punta Gorda, FL; his sister, Ruth of Grand Rapids, MI; his step-son, Jeff Byrge of East Prairie, MO, and his wife Karen; and great-grandkids. Gus was predeceased by his parents, Aleksandras (1902-1954) and Barbora (1903-1987); his brother, Al Baltrusaitis (1942-2005); his sisters, Ona Treska (1929-2014) and Marija Alkevicius (1934-1988); and grandson, Tyler Baltrusaitis (1981-1996). Gus loved life and lived it to the fullest with his wife, Joyce. He will be dearly missed by all. Visitation will be at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, MO on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, from 5:00 p. m. - 7:00 p. m. with a rosary service to follow at 7:30 p. m. The funeral mass will be at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of New Madrid, MO, on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 11:00 a. m. , with Father Mark BInder serving as celebrant. Kestutis "Gus" Jonas Baltrusaitis will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery in East Prairie, MO, under the direction of Shelby Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Joshua Baltrusaitis, Colton Baltrusaitis, Jeff Byrge, Kevin Still, Jason Roach and Michael Woods. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom McKay, Dan Machiran, Davis Aters and Jim Anderson. A meal for the family and friends will be provided at St. James Baptist Church in East Prairie, MO, following the graveside service. Online condolences may be shared at: www. southernfuneralservices. com. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Gus Baltrusaitis, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Memorial Donation