Russell Louis Shooltz passed away after a brief illness Monday, May 7, 2018, at the age of 86. Born in Lansing in 1931, Russell grew up and spent most of his life near his large extended family in DeWitt Michigan. At the time of his death he split his time between Lake Isabella, Michigan and Jensen Beach, Florida.
Russell was a graduate of DeWitt High School and held many different jobs until he earned his Journeyman and Masters license as an Electrician working for IBEW Local 665 before retiring in 1993. He worked outdoors all his life, building and selling a number of his own houses in the DeWitt area. Russell volunteered many of his retirement years to Habitat for Humanity, helping to build housing for families in need throughout mid-Michigan. In 1997, he received a Senior Citizen of the Year Award from Clare County in recognition of his work for Clare/Gladwin Services for the Aging. Russell was always happy to help friends and family with construction and repair projects, and was easily recognized as the guy standing on a roof or climbing a ladder in the many communities where he lived.
An avid fisherman, Russell spent hours at his lake house fishing in his boat, or standing in the South Florida surf casting out a line in search of his beloved Pompano. He played on a number of golf leagues over the years, and often played with friends and family, digging his way out of bunkers and hacking through weeds looking for lost balls.
Russell was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Joyce (Ridsdale), one son, Michael Shooltz, his parents, Aloys and Helen and three siblings, Dale, Jerry and Edna. He is survived by two sons, Steve Shooltz (Rhonda Ticnor), and Duane Shooltz (Cyndi Ragland) , as well as two daughters, Sue Cusack (Andy Cusack), and Lorie Loe; and eight siblings, Don, Arlene, John, Francis, Clifford, Howard, Dorothy and Beverly. He was blessed with 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
A celebration of life will be held at the DeWitt VFW hall on June 9th at 1:00 PM.
Donations may be made in Russell Shooltz’s name to Sparrow’s Hospice House Of Mid-Michigan.
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