Cecil G. Rusch, age 85, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Michael Breach officiating. Organist will be Sara Lee Rinke.

Interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Military Rites will be provided by the Merton Dale American Legion Post #80. Pallbearers will be Devin Rusch, Ben Rusch, Pat Peyton, Steve Danielson, David Anderson and Dean Peyton. Honorary Pallbearers will be Cecil’s great-nieces and great-nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 5th from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church.

Cecil G. Rusch was born July 6, 1930 in Wheaton, Minnesota to Ehrhardt and Bertha (Deschner) Rusch. He attended country school through eighth grade and graduated from Wheaton High School in 1948. Cecil entered the United States Navy on March 18, 1952 where he served until his honorable discharge on November 3, 1953. For his service he received the National Defense Service Medal. Cecil was a life long member of St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton.

Cecil returned to Wheaton and began working at Midland Co-op where he worked for over forty years before retiring. Cecil enjoyed flying model airplanes with the local Black Sheep Club, and working on small engines. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially taking trips to Colorado to see his brother Eldon. He loved to target shoot and did almost all of his own reloading. Cecil was a longtime member of the Traverse County Sportsmans Club.

Cecil is survived by his sister Pearl (LeRoy) Behrens of Wheaton; sisters-in-law Delores Thompson and Betty Rusch both of Wheaton; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ehrhardt & Bertha Rusch; brothers Leonard (Gladys), Eldon, Daniel, Orville and Gerald.