D.O. McComb & Sons has posted Ed Rosseau’s obituary and funeral arrangements.
Edwin J. “Ed” Rousseau 76, Fort Wayne Civic Leader and Businessman passed away Saturday April 25, 2009 at the Towne House Health Care Center in Ft. Wayne.
Ed was born to Albert & Sarah (Cook) Rousseau and attended Bloomingdale Grade School where his father had also been a student. He graduated from North Side High School where he met his future wife and married on June 13, 1953.
He attended IU Business School and was drafted into the US Army in 1954 and served 18 months in Germany. He then joined his father and brother in their family business: Rousseau Bros. DeSoto Plymouth dealership on North Harrison where he began as general manager. In 1959, the business was sold to Poinsette Motors. He then formed his first real estate firm, Rousseau and Associates. Later he worked with Tom Heiny for several years and is now a partner of ReMax Results Realtors. During his real estate career, he was a partner in several other real estate firms as well. Ed began his political career in 1964 when he was elected to the City Council, where he served for 8 years. He was a County Councilman for 14 years and a County Commissioner for 16 years retiring in December of 2004. He was instrumental in the Memorial Coliseum Expansion Project and the Dahlman Road/Airport Expressway. He is best known for leading the County in procuring the GM plant thus earning the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Governor Joe Kernan in December 2004. A charter member of the Good Shepherd United Methodist church, he was a man with a strong Christian Faith.
He loved and cherished his family, grandchildren and friends. He enjoyed IU sports, golf, hunting, cars, playing cards, boating and especially dancing with his wife.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years Marilyn (Johnson) Rousseau of Ft. Wayne, son; Mark E. (Lynne) Rousseau of Castle Rock, CO daughters Renee A. (Bill) Fishering of Ft. Wayne, Denise R. (Mark)
VanderHagen, Suzanne J. (Mike) Hausfeld both of Huntertown, grandchildren; Michelle, Brett and Ryan Rousseau, Josh & wife Brenda, Joe & wife Liz and Andrew Kearby, Lauren & husband Chris Slyby, Mitchell, Nellie, Mya VanderHagen Tony, Allie, Amy Hausfeld and step grandchild, Geoff Fishering, great grandchildren Brittany Breidenstein, Anikah & Aubrey Kearby.Funeral Services will be held at 10:30am Saturday May 2 at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 4700 Vance Avenue with calling one hr. prior to services and Rev. Phillip R. Emerson officiating. Additional calling hours will be from 2-5pm and 7-9 pm Friday at the church.
Preferred memorials are contributions to the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Heartland Hospice 1315 Directors Row Suite 210 Fort Wayne, IN or to the donor’s choice. Interment will be in the Highland Park Cemetery.