Known as “House” to his buddies in the Navy, Logan Heuser was a young man who was hard to miss since he was large in stature, often towering above those around him, but he was big-hearted, too. He often made his own rules and was always the life of the party wherever he was. On the inside, Logan was kind and compassionate, one who was always there for those he cared about. He was a hard worker who served his country in order to preserve the freedoms Americans continue to enjoy. Logan was truly one-of-a-kind and such a special person whose light was extinguished much too soon.

The eighties were a colorful decade in America with countless changes that would forever transform the landscape within our nation. Personal computers were on the rise, dual-income families continued to increase, and MTV brought music to a whole new level. It was in 1988 that there was great cause for celebration in the family of Greg and Shelly (Mills) Heuser as they were overjoyed with the birth of their son, Logan, on May 3rd. Logan was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, joining older brother Jonathan in his family who was two years his senior. His father worked in maintenance for a local apartment complex while his mother worked as an accountant at Upjohn. Logan grew up in a home located within seven acres of woods in the middle of Portage. This setting provided a great place for young boys to just be boys. Nicknamed “Logie” by his family, Logan enjoyed a typical love, hate relationship with his brother. He attended preschool at the Nature Center, Lake Center Elementary, and Portage Central Middle School. As a student at Portage Central High School, Logan enjoyed history, especially about WWII, and was always interested in building. The Heuser family did a lot of camping together while Logan and his brother were growing up, at times along with their extended family. Logan always enjoyed the times they gathered around the campfire.

After graduating from high school in 2007, Logan fulfilled his dream of going into the military. In fact, he was the third generation on his mother’s side of the family to serve in the Navy. Logan attended boot camp along the western shore of Lake Michigan, located about halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, and graduated in November of 2007. He received his “A” School training in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he learned the building trade, and he then moved on to South Carolina for his Combat Training. Logan’s nickname in the Navy was “House” based on both his size and the fact that he built houses during much of his time in the service. At the end of December, 2008, Logan was deployed to Iraq until the end of July. He was a Seabee who built barracks for Iraqi soldiers. Logan made many great friends while there, but he didn’t like the hot and dirty conditions or washing his clothes in a river with rocks. He enjoyed his work there, watched the Super Bowl, and even celebrated his 21st birthday there. Logan did see some bad things, though, and was hospitalized and treated for dehydration on one occasion. He worked hard while in the military and was thankful for the great friends he made.

After his time in the military was completed, Logan returned home and lived with his mother. He started looking for a job in whatever industry he could find. Logan was currently working at Bowers Manufacturing, and he just took a job with Summit Polymers that was scheduled to begin this next Monday.

Logan was never one to be idle for very long as it seemed he was always busy doing something. He loved video games, particularly Call of Duty and Halo, and he also enjoyed making model airplanes and playing shuffleboard. Logan was an avid hunter and fisherman who also loved playing poker and shooting pool, often at Playtime Billiards. When it came to movies, Logan liked any type of war or military movies, and he spent quite a bit of time connecting with people on Facebook. He could often be found partying with his friends or hanging out at the Main Street Pub. When drinking beer, everyone knew that Logan was a Bud and Bud Light man through and through. Although he didn’t play sports himself, he became a fan of watching the Red Wings and a variety of college basketball games.

Family was an important part of Logan’s life, and he loved his family dearly, too. He was caring and generous with his time, even helping with his brother’s house. Logan’s 130 pound black lab, Shadow, was a part of his family and held a special place in his heart as well.

Logan Heuser was a vibrant young man who was compassionate, gregarious, and very funny. He liked to have a good time whether shooting pool, playing beer pong, or hanging out at the local pub. Logan was so loveable and sweet, someone who would do anything for anyone. He loved many things like grilling, eating potatoes and sausage, and enjoying a cold Bud Light. Although his family and friends now say goodbye, they will be forever grateful for the time they were given to share with such a remarkable young man. Logan will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Logan G. Heuser died unexpectedly on March 27, 2010 in Portage. Logan’s family includes his parents, Greg Heuser and Shelly Heuser; brother, Jon (Briana) Heuser; paternal grandparents, Ken and Marqueda Heuser; maternal grandparents, Jack and JoAnn Mills, Sr.; 5 aunts and uncles: Mark Heuser (Colleen), Brad Heuser (Tanya), Linda (Bob, Jr.) Kuiper, Jack (Kelli) Mills, Jr., Patty (Rob) Adams, and many cousins. Learn more about Logan, view his Life Story film, and share in some refreshments with his family and friends on Wednesday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes – Kalamazoo, MI, 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900 where services will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Burial will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign his memory book before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to Memorial Fund for Logan C/O Consumers Credit Union or Gryphon House.