David Charles Bruesch age 83, of Free Soil, Michigan, died Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Munson Medical center in Traverse City, Michigan. He was born on March 20, 1943 in Scottville, Michigan. Son of the late Harold and Anna (Gancarz) Bruesch. As a kid he loved hunting, fishing and baling hay for local farmers.  Dave was a graduate of Free Soil High School with the class of 1961. He was a tank operator in the United States Army, in Germany, from 1962 until his discharge in 1964. While in the service, he also qualified as a rifle sharp shooter.  Dave married Barbara Morang on September 3, 1966 at Saint John Cantius Catholic Church in Free Soil, Michigan. Barbara preceded David in death on November 10, 2011. Dave attended Muskegon Community College and then began his banking career, having been employed with Commercial Credit, Security National/Huntington Bank and until his retirement with Honor State Bank. He is a member of Saint John Cantius Catholic Church of Free Soil, where he was an active member of the parish, working on many parish activities, as well as being an usher for Sunday masses. Dave also enjoyed hunting and fishing in our local area as well as in Alaska and out west. He also loved to travel and just hang out with his friends.

Dave is survived by his fiancée Marilyn Mapes of Free Soil; his son Michael Bruesch of Free Soil; his daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and John Tyron of Fountain; his grandchildren, Jessica Bruesch of Manistee, Gage Tyron of Allendale, and Nyah (Cameron) Tyron-Mizer of Grand Rapids, his great grandchildren, Magnolia Tyron-Mizer, Lyria Hamilton, Renesmae Hamilton, and Braylee Bruesch; two brothers & sister-in-law, Daniel Bruesch and Charles (Sherry) Bruesch, and sister-in-law, Jeanne Bruesch. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.

He was also preceded in death by his wife Barbara, his parents, Harold and Anna (Gancarz) Bruesch, his brother Joseph Bruesch and his in-laws, Frank and Rose Morang and his brother-in-law, Bernard Morang.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, April 17, 2026 at Saint John Cantius Catholic Church in Free Soil at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Jacob Zemaitis celebrant. Burial will follow at Saint John Cantius Church Cemetery where members of the Manistee County United Veterans Council will present David with graveside military honors.

The family will receive friends at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee on Thursday evening from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with a Rosary being prayed at 7:00 P.M. and at the church on Friday morning, one hour prior to the funeral mass at 11:00 A.M.

A memorial will be established in Dave's name for the Saint John Cantius Catholic Cemetery. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home on Thursday and at the church on Friday. The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.