Edward Alton "Ted" Heutsche

E.A. “Ted” Heutsche passed into his eternal reward in the early morning of March 16 after suffering for many years from fronto-temporal dementia. He was at home surround by his family. He was 74 years old.

Edward Alton Heutsche II was born September 7, 1948 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, son of Robert and Anne Huether Heutsche. He was named for his father’s brother and he was called Ted for his mother’s brother. He was the fifth of his siblings and fell in the middle of Bob, Margy, Susie, John, Annette and Vic.

Ted was a 1966 alumnus of Sharon High School. He graduated from John Carroll University in 1970 with his B.S. in Business Administration. Ted was employed at Trumbull Supply, Findley Welding Supply and served as the Chief Financial Officer for Midwest Air Filter until his retirement.

Deacon Ted Heutsche was ordained in 1985 by Bishop Malone in the Diocese of Youngstown. He served as a deacon at St. Patrick’s Church in Hubbard, Ohio for ten years. He continued to serve as a deacon at the Catholic Community of St. Jude in DeWitt in the Diocese of Lansing until he reached senior deacon status.

He believed in serving his community. Ted coached his children on many recreational league sport teams. He was involved in the Lion’s Club, Mahoning Valley Credit Association and Knights of Columbus.

He married the love of his life, Karen Rudge and celebrated 52 years of marriage. They had four children – Gretchen Heutsche, DPM (John Hogan), Anne Heutsche, Susan Lenhart (Brian) and Edward “Ted” Heutsche III (Kari). They have seven grandchildren – Braeden (18), Declan (15), Bridget (12), Edward IV “Teddy” (5), Evelyn (3), Eliana (2) and Matthew (7 weeks).

While Ted had many accomplishments and served his community for many years that only tells a part of his story. Ted was larger than life. He had a generous heart and was never afraid to show all of his emotions to his family, friends and congregations. He was always meeting the needs of others. He had a wicked sense of humor and a sharp intellect. He was a thoughtful and authentic homilist often sharing our family experiences from the pulpit. His presence and booming voice would fill a room or the neighborhood. Family was everything. He told us home was always where he and Mom lived. He protected his family and took care of them in small and big ways. His grandchildren brought him great joy even when his disease progressed and they continued to interact and have fun with their Boppa. We were blessed with many of these moments of love. He fiercely loved his family. He was a beloved husband and father. He was a good deacon and faithful servant.

Deacon Ted was preceded in death by his parents – Robert and Anne Heutsche and in-laws – Frank and Florence Rudge; his brother-in-laws Larry Manilla, Jeffrey Rudge and Larry Rudge and sister-in-law Marilyn Rudge.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 1 P.M. at the Catholic Community of St. Jude with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop celebrating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. and 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the church with a scripture service at 7:30 P.M. and one hour prior to Mass at the church on Thursday. Burial will follow at DeWitt Cemetery.

The family requests than in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Catholic Community of St. Jude 801 N. Bridge St., DeWitt, MI 48820, Bill Rudge Ministries P.O. Box 108, Sharon, PA 16146, or Lansing Community College Foundation 309 N. Washington St., Lansing, MI 48933