Frederick L. Brutsche

Frederick L. Brutsche, 75, of St. Joseph died Monday, August 17, 2009 at home following a lengthy battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held 11:30 A.M. Friday, August 21, 2009 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph with burial immediately following at Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5 to 8 PM and preceding the funeral service from 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Memorial contributions in Fred’s name may be made to Hospice at Home or Lincoln Township Public Library. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Fred was born June 12, 1934 in Fremont, Ohio to Frederick A. and Marie W. (Sutter) Brutsche. He was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Fremont where he was a member of the football, basketball and baseball teams from 1950-52. Fred moved his family to the St. Joseph area following a transfer in 1963 by the Whirlpool Corporation, Clyde OH division. Fred retired from Whirlpool in St. Joseph after 36 years of service. He held various positions in Information Technology during that time. He married his high school sweetheart, the former Mary Jean Merrill in Fremont on February 12, 1955. He is survived by his two children, daughter Christine M. (Curtis) Dally of Portage, MI and son Scott E. (Kathy) Brutsche of Coloma, MI; grandsons Patrick (Ellen) Dally, Adam Dally, Jeffrey Dally, Matthew Dally and Cameron Brutsche; and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving is a special friend and companion Ginger Wolcott of Haines City, Florida. Fred was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jean in 2003, his sister Joanne in 2005, his mother in 1982 and his father in 1965. Fred was a former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Council #591 of Fremont; Past President of the Toastmasters Club 1410 in St. Joseph; and Past President of the St. Bernard’s Parish Council in Benton Harbor. Fred and Mary Jean enjoyed spending their retirement during the winter months in Haines City, FL where they had many good friends. He was a voracious reader of news and non-fiction and Fred especially enjoyed debating politics with his friends and family. He had long conversations over the years concerning matters such as the state of our government, financial issues and the necessity of computers with his dear friend and fellow Whirlpool retiree Donald Bish. He continued to keep in touch with several other retirees by meeting monthly for breakfast at his favorite local restaurant, Big Boy. Sports remained a passion for Fred even later in life and he loved a vigorous game of tennis whenever the opportunity arose. He also looked forward to his weekly rounds of golf with lifelong friend from high school, Edward Mayle of Benton Harbor. The family would like to thank his many friends and relatives for providing support, companionship and care for Fred during the final months of his illness. Your willingness to give your time to Fred allowed him to remain in the home he loved.