Dr. Joseph Rustin Poole, MD—known to many as Dr. Joe, Joey, or Rusty—passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025, at the age of 76.
Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, on December 1, 1948, Joe lived a life defined by compassion, curiosity, and quiet strength. Much of his childhood was spent in Fredericktown and Mount Vernon, with summers on the Poole family farm in Scioto County—an experience that instilled in him a deep appreciation for the land and for simple, grounded living.
After graduating from Mount Vernon Academy, he attended Columbia Union College and later pursued additional undergraduate studies at Ashland College near his hometown. During this time, he married Kathryn Brown of Kirkland, Washington. Together, they had two children, Julia and Jonathan, who remained central to his life. He earned his medical degree through a joint program between Universidad de Guadalajara and Loma Linda University, and went on to complete his residency and fellowship in cardiology and internal medicine at Kettering Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. During his years in Dayton, Joe met and married Melissa Moore of Dayton, Ohio. She was a devoted partner to him, and they loved each other deeply throughout their life together.
Once his training was complete, he moved west to be closer to his children in Washington State. He soon fell in love with the Southern Oregon Coast and made his home in Curry County, serving communities on both sides of the California-Oregon border. Later in his career, Joe returned east to be closer to his and Melissa’s aging parents. In his final years of practice, he worked at the Mount Vernon Developmental Center, where he cared for some of the most vulnerable members of society with dignity and compassion.
Joe was a voracious reader and a passionate student of history and genealogy. A proud member of the Mayflower Society, he had a deep appreciation for the stories and legacies of the past. He also had a lifelong love of animals and the outdoors—especially the Rogue River and the rugged beauty of the Southern Oregon Coast, which always held a special place in his heart. An avid collector of classic cars, Joe appreciated their craftsmanship and the simple joy of the driving experience.
To his family, Joe was playful and thoughtful. He moved through the world with humility and authenticity. A gifted but private musician, he played an impressive range of instruments—including piano, trombone, bassoon, banjo, guitar, and dulcimer—often filling the home with music that was both skillful and spontaneous.
Joe will be remembered for his fierce loyalty, kind heart, and quiet ability to show up when it mattered most. He offered wisdom and care without fanfare, and his presence will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Melissa Moore Poole; his children, Julia Poole Nordby (Nick) of Kirkland, WA, and Jonathan Dodge Poole of Mount Vernon, OH; and his grandchildren, Alexandra Nordby of Kirkland, WA, and Davis Nordby (McKenna) of Boise, ID. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Wishau of Fredericktown, OH, along with several nieces and nephews in Colorado and Wisconsin.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Joseph and Thelma Poole of Fredericktown, OH.
A graveside service will be held on June 28, 2025. Please contact the family for further details.
The Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Ohio, is honored to serve the family of Dr. Joseph Rustin Poole, MD.
Funeral Home: Snyder
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com