Obituary: Joel Ruskin Hearshen
Joel Ruskin Hearshen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on May 25, 2023, at the age of 78.
Joel Ruskin Hearshen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on May 25, 2023, at the age of 78. Joel was born on Dec. 14, 1944, in Detroit, Mich., to Beatrice and Berl Hearshen.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Nancy Hearshen; his children, Rachel (Christian) Rickwardt, of Frankfurt, Germany, and Rabbi Josh (Carrie) Hearshen of Brookhaven, Ga.; his sister and brother-in-law, Fern and Mike Halem, of Moorpark, Calif.; his two granddaughters, Ayelet and Galit Hearshen, and he is pre-deceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Elaine Hearshen. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, cousins, and numerous family and friends.
Joel spent his career as a social science teacher in the Detroit Public School system along with working as an adjunct professor at Madonna University in Livonia, Mich. During the summers, he enjoyed working as a house painter with a fellow educator. Joel was a voracious reader who loved history and learning about the nations of the world. He served as a board member of his synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, in Oak Park, Mich.
He was a joyful person who was inquisitive and filled with knowledge of the world that far outreached his education. He loved to laugh, and he loved to tell stories. His family was very important to him, and he spent his happiest times with them.
When he became a grandfather, he began his second life as one of the greatest one ever made and there was nothing that he wouldn’t do for his two granddaughters. He loved music, especially the music from his childhood and formative years. He also loved to take trips in the car and to drive all over our wonderful country.
Joel was always happy in the kitchen where he and his wife, Nancy, would make all sorts of delicious dishes for themselves and for their family.
Some of Joel’s happiest times were spent reading books, both fiction and non-fiction. He always adored the summers that he, Nancy, and their children spent in Charlevoix, Mich. During his retirement he enjoyed volunteering at the Detroit Zoo, and he also volunteered with meals on wheels and the annual Christmas Day volunteer program in Metropolitan, Detroit.
Joel lost his battle with bladder cancer on May 25, 2023. His fight began in August of 2022, and he fought with courage and with resolve that he would beat it. This battle was filled with ups and downs though he believed, and his family believes, that he will never be defined by it.
The funeral was held on May 28, 2023, at Congregation OVS and was followed by burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Atlanta, Ga. The family asks for memories to be shared on Joel’s Mi Alma page at app.mialma.com/joel-hearshen. Donations can be made to the Congregation Or VeShalom Future Fund. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care of Atlanta, Georgia, www.DresslerJewishFunerals.com, 770-451-4999.
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