Donald Edward Tuthill, 97, of Marysville, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
He was born on February 10, 1926 in Ferndale, Michigan to the late Morris and Josephine Tuthill. He married Virginia Garner on April 14, 1951 in Port Huron. They were married for 72 years.
Don graduated from Lincoln High School in Ferndale in 1944. He also attended Port Huron Business College and St. Clair County Community College.
Don served in the U.S. Army Cavalry during World War II from July 1944 to August 1946. On February 6, 1945, he was on the Liberty Ship S.S. Peter Silvester taking 317 mules to the Burma Road when his ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat. He spent 22 days adrift in a lifeboat in the Indian Ocean. He was picked up by a British aircraft carrier on February 28, 1945. He was awarded a purple heart.
Don was employed at the St. Clair County Sheriff Department serving as a deputy, a detective and finally as Undersheriff, retiring after 31 years of service.
He was a longtime member of Griswold Street Baptist Church where he served for many years as an usher and worked on the Retiree’s monthly luncheon committee. He was a member of the St. Clair County F.O.P. Lodge #129, American Legion Post #8, V.F.W. May O’Brien Post #8465, Council on Aging Vets Club and the St. Clair County Retirees Association.
Don is survived by his wife, Virginia; two children, Jeanne (Steve) Sawdon and James Tuthill; grandchildren, James (Kristen) Sawdon, Katie (Jared) Griest, Matthew (Becky) Tuthill and Brittany Tuthill (Shane Jehl); great grandchildren, Caroline and Madie Sawdon, Annie, Clara and James Griest, Zoey and Nathan Tuthill, Gavin Tucker and Jaxson Jehl; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ernest and Harold; and sisters, Marguerite, Estelle and Josephine.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023 in the Marysville Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023 in Griswold Street Baptist Church, Port Huron with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Tim North will officiate. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army.
Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Port Huron. Pallbearers will be James Tuthill, Steve Sawdon, James Sawdon, Jared Griest, Matthew Tuthill and Shane Jehl.
Memorial contributions may be made to Griswold Street Baptist Church. To send condolences, visit marysvillefuneralhome.com
