Dustin R.M. Bichsel

On Dec. 31, 2020, our beautiful son, Dustin, died from an overdose of heroin. He was 33 years old. We want to share his story in the hope that lives may be saved and his death will not be in vain. Addiction is a mental illness. No one plans to be an addict. As a child, Dustin was a treasure and was loved deeply, with so much promise and yet he still died from an overdose. Addiction does not discriminate. Using heroin once is all that it takes to get hooked; from then on you are playing Russian roulette. This is what happened to Dustin. Heroin affects the way our brain processes pleasure, taking over not just your brain but your life, destroying families and friendships. Dustin was an unique soul. He had an intellectual mind and a bright future. As a young child, Dustin was filled with curiosity and a great sense of humor. He was highly intelligent, kind, and funny. His passion was skateboarding, making skate videos, roller coasters, drawing, bicycling, computers, and was great in coming up with delicious dishes in the kitchen. Throughout his life, he had an amazing talent for drawing and technology, coupled with a friendly personality. He seemed to be winning the battle until New Year's eve when he lost his battle to heroin. We did everything we could to get him to stop, but heroin won the battle. The day Dustin died, we died along with him. We will miss him every day for the rest of our lives. The pain of his death is heartbreaking and intolerable, which is why stories like Dustin's should not be ignored. The only way we will conquer the heroin epidemic is to share our stories and raise awareness. Dustin, we can only pray that you have found the peace you desperately searched for here on earth. We hope you are watching and see how many people loved you and have been truly affected by your death.                      Dustin is survived by his loving parents, Michael and Sheila Bichsel (Hudson); brother, Spencer Bichsel; grandparents, Jerry and Janice Hudson; aunt and uncle Keith and Stacy Bichsel, aunt and step uncle Jeri and Michael Garringer, uncles Scott and David Hudson, and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather Gerald Bichsel (Grandpa Zoo).

Funeral services will be Saturday January 9, 2021 at 10:00 AM in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Herb Hummel presiding. Burial will follow in the Liber Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 – 7:00 PM and prior to the services Saturday. Family is asking for donations to help with funeral expenses or donations to the Progress House in Indianapolis. Online condolences at www.baird-freeman.com