Thomas G. Dufty

Thomas G. Dufty, 90, of Caseville, died Saturday, May 10, 2014 at his home after a long illness.

Tom was born April 2, 1924 in Caseville, across the street from his present home, the son of the late Marguerite (McBride) Rogers and Thomas J. Dufty. He married Dorothy Hanna Naffien on January 30, 1954 in Bay Port. She preceded him in death on November 7, 1989.

Tom enjoyed working on his grandfather’s farm (Joe McBride) as a youth until he enlisted in the 308th Airdrome SQ (which later became the Air Force) in November of 1945. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant on February 18, 1947. He then returned to Michigan and sailed the Great Lakes with his father and brothers as a merchant seaman until a violent storm on Lake Huron with 50 foot waves off Port Huron convinced him to become a carpenter. He went on to work for Meyers-Dufty Builders and R.T. Smith Builders for 39 years. He was a life member of the Pigeon VFW.

Surviving are his two daughters Ruth Ann Lapka of Caseville and Barbara (Robert) Guster of Sterling Heights, three sons James of Bottineau, North Dakota, Ken and Brian (Shirley) both of Caseville; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; siblings JC (Linda) Dufty, Walter (Paulette) Dufty and Barbara Meyers, all of Caseville; and several other local children he had adopted as grandchildren over the years.

He was preceded in death by his brothers William and Chuck.

Visitation will be 1 to 6 pm Monday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville followed by a funeral dinner at the Caseville Eagles Club.