Ronald H Tutewiler

Ronald Tutewiler passed away, June 3, 2025, in Bradenton, Florida. He is now in Heaven breathing freely and taking long walks on the beach with his many relatives and 4 golden retrievers that have preceded him.

Ron was born May 6, 1937, in Battle Creek, MI, the son of George “Jack” and Thela Tutewiler. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1955 where he played the trombone in the band and jazz band. As a young man Ron enjoyed driving stock cars at Galesburg Speedway.

Ron worked at Michigan Bell Telephone for 34 ½ years, taking an early retirement in 1990. After a couple years of finishing projects at the house on Crooked Lake, he worked part-time at Barry County Telephone for a few years.

Ron married Gail Foster in 1981 at Richland Covenant Church in Richland, MI. They lived at Crooked Lake in Delton for more than 17 years. He loved to fish for bluegill off his dock, cruise the lake in his pontoon and entertain his many friends and family. He fell in love with golden retrievers when a coworker gave him a 7-year-old golden named Paulo. Paulo was the first of 5 golden retrievers they would have.

In 1994, Ron and Gail started spending winters at their condo on Anna Maria Island. He enjoyed riding his bike all over the island, to Longboat Key and St. Armands Circle. They went to amusement parks, were members of Mote Marine and enjoyed entertaining many family and friends on their Florida vacations.

Ron and Gail later sold the Crooked Lake home and moved to a more permanent home in North Beach Village on Anna Maria Island. Ron loved to walk the beach for hours and walk his two golden retrievers around the island. They spent summers at Sandy Pines in Dorr, MI for 5 years, then rented cottages on lakes closer to family and in 2010 bought a condo in Richland, MI for the summers. In Florida, after 30 plus years on Anna Maria Island, they moved to a home in NW Bradenton. Ron and Gail were members of Roser Memorial Community Church on Anna Maria Island. They were season ticket holders at the Island Players for over 30 years.

Even after 35 years in Florida, Ron was an avid Michigan sports fan, especially rooting for the Detroit Red Wings, but followed them all.

He is survived by his wife, Gail; four children from his previous marriage to Shirley Barnes, Ronda Ernsberger of Delton, MI, Kathy Williams of Battle Creek, MI, Terri (Carl) Linsley of Battle Creek, MI and Greg (Tammy) Tutewiler of Ceresco, MI; 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Joan Gryczka.

Friends may visit with Ron’s family from 5-7 PM on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, June 13, 2025, with Pastor Ray Brown officiating. 

Burial will follow at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego. 

A reception will follow at the Otsego VFW Post 3030, 124 Farmer St, Otsego. 

A memorial service will be held at Roser Memorial Community Church in Florida in the fall.

Contributions in memory of Ron may be directed to Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria, FL or to the Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida.

Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.