VAN BUREN – Leo James “Gene” Ruest, 73, died Sept. 2, 2008, at a Van Buren health care facility. He was born Nov. 6, 1934, in Van Buren, son of Paul and Annie (Lebel) Ruest. Gene is survived by his wife, Lena (Gervais) Ruest of Van Buren; two daughters, Tammy Parent and her husband, Richard, Sonia Ruest and her companion, Philip Violette, all of Van Buren; one son, Cory Ruest of Van Buren; one brother, Addis Ruest of Eagle Lake; one sister, Jeanne Ruest of Pennsylvania; and three grandchildren, Kenessa Ruest, Keith Parent and Jenna Violette. In addition to his parents, Gene was predeceased by one brother, Edgar Ruest; and by two sisters, Joan Levesque and Gladys Dubay. There will be no services. Those who wish may contribute in his memory to American Cancer Society, New England Division, Inc., 30 Speen St., PO Box 9376, Framingham, MA 01701-9376. Arrangements are a service of Ouellette-Thibault Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren. To leave online condolences, please visit www.ouellettefuneralhome.com.