Perhaps you knew him as Jack Duthler, or perhaps you knew him as The Crusher if you were a fan of the Grand Rapids Christian wrestling team, or perhaps you knew him as The Big Dutchman if you were hanging out at Jocko’s Bar in Saugatuck, Michigan for the better part of several decades. Whatever you called him (and he would say he has been called worse), Jack Herman Duthler passed away surrounded by family on September 4, 2026 having lived his 75 years full of practiced values, well-timed jokes, deep connections to family, and unquenchable curiosity.
Born January 20, 1951, Jack was the middle child of five siblings. He had an upbringing in Ada, Michigan that anchored him with a strong moral compass, gave him plenty of opportunities to question authority, and instilled in him an unshakeable sense of integrity. Jack’s lifelong practice of respectful skepticism gave him the courage to stand up for values he had earned.
Jack rambled a bit before he met his wife, Sue. He once moved to California and arrived with only $5 in his pocket. In 1975, his best friend Bob set him up on a blind date with Sue, and they married astonishingly soon after that. Jack used to joke that he knew he had to marry her when he learned her father owned a bar. Their marriage was authentic, and the years they shared demonstrated their deep respect for the commitment they made to each other and their shared values.
They raised four children. Jack taught them to respectfully question authority, to honor veterans and other public servants, to fetch him a beer when it was empty, to drive with unparalleled presence and precision, to read the newspaper, to listen to literally every genre of music that exists, to listen to their mother, to time the punchline, to find within themselves relentless stamina for long road trips, and to take seriously their responsibilities to their own families.
Perhaps his and Sue’s greatest legacy for their children is the ferocity with which those children show up for each other as adults. Quite literally the four of them would do anything for each other if the circumstances demanded heroics.
Jack knew what bird was on the feeder. He was sometimes surprisingly sentimental. He studied the Founding Fathers. He cried at Memorial Day parades. He scared his daughters’ boyfriends. He had a great singing voice. He made the world’s finest grilled chicken. He loved his childrens’ friends. He got donuts for the grandkids. He coached softball. He demanded good morning hugs. He would shake your hand and look you in the eye whether he agreed with you or not. He was a good friend. He was a good man.
He leaves behind a loving and connected circle of friends and family. His wife, Susanne Duthler; children Sarah Duthler, Jill Thompson (Steve Vandenbussche), Jonathan (Holly) Duthler, Kate Thomsen (Mike) Savina. His grandchildren Alex Thompson, Marleigh Vandenbussche, Jack Thompson, Avery Vandenbussche, Simon Thompson, Elle Thomsen, Lyla Savina, Natalie Duthler,
Sullivan Thomsen, and Noah Duthler brought him tremendous joy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Jeanette Duthler.
Celebration of life will take place on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Douglas, Michigan. Prayer service at 11:00am, lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organization that helps America’s Veterans and their families afford housing (https://t2t.org).
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