Walter J. Ruessmann

Walter J. Ruessmann, age 90, of Manassas, Virginia, formerly of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, died Sunday, February 24, 2013. Walter was born April 27, 1922 in Cologne, Germany, the son of Hubert and Johanna Ruessman. Following graduation from General Motors Institute, he served two years of active duty in the Navy during World War II. He worked for 42 years as an engineer for General Motors.

Walter married Hope Miller on January 19, 1946. She preceded him in death in 2005.

Walter was dedicated to the Catholic Church. He was very active in the Legion of Mary and the Knights of Columbus. He was a Third Order Dominican, a Eucharistic Minister, wrote a weekly Gospel reflection for a local parish, and carried on a weekly Bible class in a prison for many years.

Walter is survived by seven of his eight children: Anne Bouchenoire; Aime Nuar; Father John Ruessmann, MM; Sister Joseph Marie, RSM; Noël Ruessmann; Laurent Ruessmann; Chantal Porterfield. As well as his brother Edwin Ruessman, 21 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Marc, his sister, Virginia and his brothers Hubert and Paul.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 2, at Our Lady of Grace chapel in Alma, Michigan. Interment will follow in St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in DeWitt, MI.