John Roy Dutcher

John Roy Dutcher, age 89, of Hessel, Michigan, died November 4, 2021, in St. Ignace, Michigan. He was born February 2, 1932, in Cedarville, Michigan, to George Luther and Pearl Margaret (Chenier) Dutcher.

John was a lifelong resident of the Cedarville/Hessel area. After elementary school, he started his work life with a team of horses he used logging. He married Frances Irene Kramen on May 1, 1950, at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Hessel. While raising their family, he worked as an industrial painter and then as a meat cutter at the Cedarville Red Owl before owning and operating a crib dock building business in Hessel for many years.

John was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Hessel. He also volunteered as a firefighter and was a member of Knights of Columbus. He was Assistant Leader of the local Boy Scout Troop for a total of twenty-seven years while his sons and then his grandson were growing up.

John was a talented artist. He was a woodcarver who created many carved animals and a basket weaver who made special baskets for each family member. He also made wooden trunks for each of his children that included wood burned drawings of the animals or birds they requested.

John is survived by his children, John Roy (Karen) Dutcher Jr. of Hessel, Jerry P. (Donna) Dutcher of Hessel, Cynthia Rose (Robert) Smith of Cedarville, Frank Allen Dutcher of Hessel, Rita Cheryl (Ray) Nettleton of Pickford, Michigan, David Gerard Dutcher of Hessel, and Jeffery Daniel (Kim) Dutcher of Brighton, Michigan; twenty grandchildren, Ian Roy (fiancé, Katlyn Frantz) Dutcher, Joseph Kramen Dutcher, Thomas James Dutcher, Kathryn Raye Dutcher, Kerrianne Rose Dutcher, Sheena Michelle Dutcher (Jeremy) Burnside , DeAnna Jean Dutcher (Rob) LaPonsie, Matthew John (Caryn) Smith, Jennifer Marie Smith (Brian) Hopkins, Jessica Michelle Smith (Ryan) Hudson, Amber Faye McGruther, Joseph Michael McGruther, Casandra Lynn McGruther, Ashley Marie McGruther (Aaron) Sherlund, Lance Michael Nettleton, Lisa Marie Nettleton, April Lynn Dutcher (Justin) Schilman, Ashley Ann Dutcher (Greg) Golden, Jeffery Daniel Dutcher II, and Angelique Nicole Dutcher; and five great grandchildren, Isabella Rose Hopkins, Shaelyn Irene Hopkins, David Heinz Hudson, Claire Julianna Hudson, Christopher Michael Haddox, Mackenzie Lynn Sherlund, Liberty Belle Sherlund, Briar Lynn Smith, Tristan Alexander Forgrave, Corbin Ezra Dutcher, Scarlet Beau Schilman, Brandon Schilman, Jacob Francis Golden, and Asher Michael McGruther; and one sister, Jeanne Mary Haynes of Indiana.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Frances; brothers, Edwin, George Jr, William, and Francis Dutcher; and sisters, Doris Callaghen, Helen Leach, and Dorothy Royer.

Mass of Christian Burial will celebrated at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Hessel on November 2.

Burial is in Edgewood Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville.

Galer Funeral Homes & Cremation in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Roy Dutcher please visit our Sympathy Store.