Rev. Fr. Donald P. Rusch

Reverend Father Donald P. Rusch, of Eastpointe, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019 at the age of 87. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 21, 1931 to Anthony and Mary (nee Walkowiak) Rusch. Fr. Rusch attended Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri and advanced to the Major Order of Subdiaconate by His Excellency Bishop John L. Morovsky, of Amarillo, Texas at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on August 22, 1960. The Major Order of Diaconate was conferred December 11, 1960 at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri by Bishop John P.Cody of the Kansas City - St. Joseph diocese. Fr. Donald Rusch was ordained to the Holy Priesthood May 20, 1961 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Amarillo, Texas by the Most Reverend John Morkovsky, D.D., S.J.D and celebrated his First Solemn Mass on May 28, 1961 at Immaculate Conception Church in Detroit, Michigan. Fr. Rusch served in many churches throughout the Catholic Diocese of Amarillo. St. Laurence (Amarillo) June 10, 1961 - June 30, 1962, St. John's (Borger) June 30, 1962 - March 21, 1963, St. Alice (Plainview) March 21, 1963 - April 25, 1964, Sacred Heart (Petersberg) April 15, 1964 - April 28, 1967, Sacred Heart (Spearman) April 28, 1967 - January 6, 1978, St. Alice (Plainview) January 7, 1978 - May 25, 1978, St. Hyacinth (Amarillo) May 26, 1978 - June 30, 1980 and St. Joseph (Stratford) July 1, 1980 - June 30, 1982. Fr. Rusch was incarnated into the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan in October 1988 and served as an Assistant Pastor at St. John (Flint) 1982-1984 and St. Paul (Owosso) 1984-1986 and his last assignment was as Pastor of St. Dominic (Clinton) 1986 until his retirement in June 2001. Upon his return to the Detroit area he resided in Eastpointe and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Beloved son of the late Anthony and Mary Rusch. Dear brother of Leona (the late Albert) Hallaert and predeceased by his siblings, Cecilia Adams, Virginia Krych, Anthony Rusch, Raymond Rusch, Arnold Rusch and Mary Ann Witek. He is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. Visitation Thursday 1:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. with a Knight of Columbus Rosary 7 p.m. at the Wasik Funeral Home, Inc., 11470 Thirteen Mile Road (west of Hoover) Warren. Fr. Rusch will lie instate Friday 2 p.m. until the time of his Funeral Mass 3 p.m., with Bishop Earl Boyea of the Diocese of Lansing officiating, at St. Veronica Catholic Church, 21440 Universal Ave. (corner of Toepfer east of Gratiot) Eastpointe. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Rev. Fr. Donald P. Rusch

October 21, 1931 - September 22, 2019