Earl Joseph "Joe" Brutsche IV

Earl Joseph "Joe" Brutsche, IV Battle Creek Earl Joseph "Joe" Brutsche, IV, age 21, of Battle Creek, died unexpectedly, Sunday, March 29, 2009, at his residence. Joe was born on July 10, 1987 in Marshall, MI and was the son of Earl J., III and Laura L. (Sellers) Brutsche. He was a lifelong resident of Battle Creek. Joe attended all 12 years at St. Philip Catholic Central School System, graduating in 2006. He was active in Cub Scout Pack #325, where he earned the Arrow of Light Award and both the Parvulii Dei and the Light of Christ, religious awards. Joe then continued on in Boy Scouting with both Troop #325 and Venture Crew #325. He earned his Eagle Scout Award and The Ad Altare Dei, religious award. He was a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow Scout Honorary Society and served on their ceremonial teams. Joe participated in a Philmont Scout Ranch High Adventure Backpacking Trek. Also, he was an area delegate to the National Order of the Arrow Convention in 2002. Joe served at Class Vice-President for 4 years while attending St. Philip High School. He was also a member of the homecoming court. Joe earned 10 Varsity Letters: 4 in Track including Captain; 2 in Basketball and 4 in Football including Captain. He was a Battle Creek Enquirer two-time All-City selection in football. His senior year, he was St. Joseph Valley All-Conference as a linebacker. Also, he served as a Boys State delegate at M.S.U. After graduation, he attended Western Michigan University for a year and continued at Kellogg Community College earning a nurse aide certificate. He was scheduled to be at KCC this fall taking classes for his EMT and Paramedic license. Joe was a lifelong member of St. Philip Catholic Church, where he served as an acolyte and a substitute usher. For hobbies, Joe enjoyed sailing with his family, camping with his classmates and Civil War re-enactment. He was a member of Company C, of the 9th Kentucky Infantry, Army of Tennessee. He participated in three national events: 140th Manassas, 140th Perryville and the 140th Gettysburg. He also served on a cannon crew with the 2nd Kentucky and 39th Tennessee. In 2006, he was a part of the St. Philip High School trip to Rome and the Vatican. He spent a week visiting religious shrines and was present for an audience with Pope John Paul II. Joe was employed at Van Horn's Market. Joe is survived by his parents; his siblings: Amber, Cassandra and James T. Brutsche, all of Battle Creek; maternal grandmother: Patricia Sellers of Battle Creek; paternal grandparents: Earl J. and Marietta M. (Fitzgerald) Brutsche, Jr. of Battle Creek; aunts: Rebecca Brutsche and Kathleen Brutsche, both of Battle Creek, and Lynnette (David) West of Kotzubue, AK; his uncles: James M. (Nancy) Brutsche of Portage, MI and Timothy J. "Tim" (Kathy) Brutsche of Battle Creek; and many cousins. Joe was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather: James Sellers, and by aunt Amber Sellers and uncles Terry and Jim Sellers. At the request of Joe's family, friends may call on Sunday, April 5th from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek, where the Parish Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 6th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Philip Catholic Church, 92 Capital Avenue, NE with Father Charles H. Fischer, Celebrant. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joe's honor may be made to the Joe Brutsche Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Battle Creek Community Foundation, 34 W. Jackson Street, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com