Obituary
Russell A. Holtman, Jr. went to be with The Lord Jesus Christ on April 13, 2023. He left behind many family members and dear friends, including his wife Loretta Holtman; his beautiful daughter Amy (Jon) French; Amy’s mother Karen Holtman; his siblings and their spouses: Thomas (Marion) Holtman, Lori (Roland) Rivette, Edward Holtman, Michael (Kelly) Holtman, William (Corinne) Holtman, Debra (Greg) Krzciok, and Robert (Amy) Holtman; a great many wonderful nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his beloved “granddogger” Stella. He was preceded in death by his loving and devout parents, Russell Sr. and Arlene Holtman, and by many of his firefighter brothers, including Nita Kovach.
Russ graduated from Ss. Peter and Paul in Saginaw, Michigan. He enjoyed a distinguished career as a firefighter with the Saginaw City Fire Department, having achieved the rank of Assistant Chief before going on duty disability. He coordinated the Fire Sciences discipline at Delta College before being promoted to the rank of Skilled Trades Manager. At Delta, he met his wife, Lori; they married in 2009 and enjoyed Florida sunshine in the winter and the cool woods of Michigan in the summer. Avid rockhounds, Russ and Lori especially enjoyed exploring the Lake Superior shoreline of Michigan’s upper peninsula.
Never without a joke, a smile, or an encouraging word, Russ enriched the life of everyone he met. Russ was the first to help out someone in need and, thankfully, he was incredibly knowledgeable in a vast array of areas, and it showed when he would lend a hand.
Amy was blessed to have a loving, supportive dad her whole life. He was her rock. When Russ’ firefighting schedule permitted a day off, if it coincided with Amy not having school, he would take her off on adventures—fishing, visiting historical sites, or buying ingredients to make a dish from a PBS show. Russ supported and encouraged Amy in every venture, and she treasures every memory she has of this great man.
Russ was an outdoorsman and loved animals, especially feeding his many “pet” chipmunks at his Mt. Pleasant, Michigan home. He was an accomplished golfer, fierce pickleball player, and skilled card player, and these activities were the basis of many precious and long lived friendships. Like most career firefighters, Russ struggled with health issues during his later years, but he never became discouraged, or lost his positive, caring attitude.
Russ felt blessed to have been a member of two Spirit-filled churches, one in Michigan, and one in Florida. Our hearts break to say goodbye to such an amazing father, husband, friend, and family member, but we take comfort in knowing that he is now in Paradise.
In lieu of flowers, please consider support for the valuable work being done in Christ Jesus at Potter’s House of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, or Calvary Chapel Belleview in Belleview, Florida. Thank you!
You are invited to attend a Celebration of Life ceremony to honor Russ on Friday, June 23, 2023, at either of the two locations that he enjoyed. For details on the Saginaw, MI event contact Amy French after June 10 at amy1holtman@hotmail.com; for details on the Lady Lake, FL event contact Lori Holtman after June 1 at sharm1a@gmail.com. Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.
You will be missed very much my dear friend!
Dear Russ,
What a privilege to know you!
You have so admirably served
Life in countless ways. You have set the Gold Standard for us all! May your Light continue to shine brightly forever.
Love always, William & Susan
Russ spent a week at Shands for evaluation of double lung transplant, but even so couldn’t resist getting inside this playground log there, like the cute Chipmunk that he was!
I had the honor of working with Russ for 2 decades.
A wonderful man with a huge heart !
It is clear to everyone that this beautiful couple love each other very much.
Russ and brother-in-law, Rollie
Russell and his sister Lori.
Husbands, here’s a sweet lesson in Scriptural “Love your wives”! Russ would often hide little notes of encouragement or appreciation for me to find around the house. In the cupboard, or next to the coffee pot, or in my clothes drawer, or…
A pic of me and dad at the Saginaw fire works and my grandpa fishing. Dad and grandpa had a special bond and loved to fish and hunt together.
We used to love to go fly-fishing on the Au Gres and Au Sable rivers.
I was always so proud to hVe a real-life hero for a dad.
Always with a smile!
Dad let me borrow his brand new Jeep for prom and my date broke the parking brake! Dad understood though, as always.
I like this pic of dad and grandpa. They were such good friends.
Lots of good times were held on grandma and grandpa's porch
Dad was always supporting me and beaming at my graduations.
Lots of weddings. In a bug family someone is always getting married
My wedding and me on a rampage with a stick. I'm sure dad was teaching me how to bat...he always practiced sports with me.
Just a good-looking dad chilling in the sun
At home in Mt. Pleasant
Look at that smile!!!
He considered you a Son to him, Jon, not a son in law. Speaking of golf, he loved this gift he legitimately earned! Christmas at Tony’s.
Enjoying the outdoors during a family gathering at The River.
Love and miss you, Russ! Peace.
Dad fighting a fire
The Holtman kids
Hero in real life, but superhero to his daughter.
Working
Handsome senior!
Grandma and grandpa's house was always filled with love and warmth
Dad's big family made growing up as an only child not so lonely
Dad, me, Uncle Rob, Uncle Bill. Dad and Matthew
Rollie and dad. Dad, are you feeding grandpa a worm?!?!
Grandpa's retirement party among other things.
I think the boy is Uncle Tom's son, Andrew.
You were always so handsome, daddy. Thanks, Lori, for wanting his pictures from all his life's stages.
Dad's brothers, Mike and Rob, and sister-in-law, Kelly
Dad's sister Lori and brother-in-law, Rollie
Dad and his cousin, Deanna