Deceased Information

• 

• DECEASED

  Joel Hearshen

  Yakov ben Moshe Baer v'Chaya Bracha

• AGE

  78

• DATE OF DEATH

  Thursday, May 25, 2023 (Before Sunset)

• DATE OF FUNERAL

  Sunday, May 28, 2023

• TIME OF FUNERAL

  1:00 PM

• PLACE OF FUNERAL

  Congregation Or VeShalom

• FUNERAL STREAM

  FUNERAL SERVICE AT OR VESHALOM:

  
  

  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89128601331

  Meeting ID: 891 2860 1331

  Passcode: 010659

  
  

  GRAVESIDE SERVICE AT GREENWOOD:

  
  

  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87483911382?pwd=VlFjdzBBcGhhRmdZWElya0c0bm91dz09

  Meeting ID: 874 8391 1382

  Passcode: 279746

• PLACE OF BURIAL

  Greenwood Cemetery

• DONATIONS

  • ❖ Congregation Or VeShalom Future Fund

• OBITUARY

  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 December 14, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan 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, Georgia; his sister and brother-in-law Fern and Mike Halem of Moorpark, California; 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, MI. 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, Mi. 

  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 ones 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, MI. 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 1:00pm at Congregation OVS and will be followed by burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Atlanta, GA. The family asks for memories to be shared on Joel’s Mi Alma page at https://app.mialma.com/joel-hearshen. Donations can be made to the Congregation Or VeShalom Future Fund.