Russell D. Heitsch

Russell D. Heitsch, age 71, of Superior and formerly of Ashland, passed away peacefully after having suffered from an early onset of dementia for many years, Sunday, May 19, 2024 under hospice care at Dove Healthcare in Superior, WI.   He was born May 8, 1953 in Shirley, Massachusetts, the son of the late Charles and Leona (Mason) Heitsch.

Russ had an eccentric charm that endeared him to friends, neighbors, kids, co-workers, waitstaff and salesclerks. As a toddler, he charmed his own mother, telling her “Awe re-ax Ma” when she was upset about something. He was funny and sometimes an unmerciful tease. He was also almost childishly naive which sometimes got him into trouble. He loved eating out and treating friends and family. 

In Russ's early years he enjoyed mechanical challenges, carousing with his friends and had a soft spot for stray cats and dogs.

He worked at a gas station as a teenager, then as a Bible salesman and restaurant manager in college, then held a variety of mechanical maintenance jobs at his uncle’s generator shop, a photo processing plant, a company that made equipment for sawmills, welding large pipes and a food processing plant. 

Russell is survived by his son, Roger William; sisters, Carrie Jane, Grace and Irene Angela Heitsch; and nieces and nephews, Jim Miller, Russ Goss, Carrie, Caleb and Aria Durward and Yasmin Filali Adib.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Charles "Chuck" Heitsch.

The family will have a private interment ceremony.

Any donations in his memory could be sent to the Sullivan MO public library.

Bratley Family Funeral Homes and crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.