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UPDATE: Due to air-quality concerns, the graveside service for Bruce “Butum” Rheault, that was scheduled for Saturday, July 18, will be postponed and rescheduled to a later date. The Pearce Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. The graveside Military Rites service by the Copper Country Veterans will be at 10 AM on Saturday, July 18, at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lake Linden.
Bruce “Butum” Rheault, age 72, of Lake Linden, passed away at Aspirus-Saint Luke’s Hospital in Duluth on January 5, 2026 peacefully with his son Brandon at his side.
He was born on August 26, 1953, a son of Willard and Dorothy (Dessellier) Rheault. Bruce grew up in Lake Linden and later on at the family farm when his father took it over. Bruce graduated from Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools in 1971.
He enlisted in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky as a Tank Mechanic. Following his service time he attended Northern Michigan University for Auto Mechanics.
Bruce worked with his family at their cattle farm. He also worked at various jobs in the area, before his 33 year long career as a millworker at Horner Flooring in Dollar Bay. He recently was employed at the Hancock Post Office until his retirement.
In 1983, Bruce was married to Debra Poisson, and they had one son, Brandon. Their marriage ended but they remained friends.
Bruce had been a member of Post 90 American Legion.
Bruce loved gardening and making home-made wine. He enjoyed smelting, metal-detecting, and hunting for morel mushrooms. He was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and enjoyed college and professional football. Bruce was a big supporter of the Lake Linden Football team during the “Golden Years” where they made several trips to the Superior Dome and Pontiac Silver dome during their championship runs. Bruce would make the most of nice days with trips to White City and Mink Farm. Many will remember Bruce for walking the family dogs in Lake Linden.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, brother-Carl, and a niece-Tanya Rheault-Shidagis.
Bruce is survived by: his son-Brandon Rheault and the family dog Milo of Lake Linden, his sisters-Sharon Mattfolk of Dollar Bay, Pauline Haiss of Green Bay, and Gladys (Bob) Collins of Ishpeming; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The visitation for friends and family will be from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at the Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden.
Online condolences may be shared at pearcefuneralhome.com
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