Vernon Nicholas Durussel

Vernon Nicholas DuRussel, age 101, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Tuscola County Medical Care Community after living a long and full life.

Vernon, affectionally known as Nick to relatives, was born May 17, 1924, in Miles City, Montana, the fourth of eight children born to the late Edward & Mary (Weipert) DuRussel. He cherished a cross necklace and arrowhead found by his mother in the Yellowstone River near their home.

In 1931, the DuRussel family moved from Montana to their family farm in Michigan. Vern began working early in life at the Michigan Sugar Factory while also maintaining a local milk route. In 1946, at age 22, he left the farm to work as a machine operator and welder at Pontiac Coach & Cab. In 1948, while renting a room at Mrs. Olson's Boarding House, she arranged a blind date with the girl next door, Phyllis Elaine Fortin. Vernon and Elaine were united in marriage on September 8, 1951, at St. Pancratius Catholic Church in Cass City, Michigan. They lived in the little white house on Deckerville Road for more than sixty-five years, sharing a devoted life together until Elaine’s passing on August 15, 2019.

On May 31, 1989, at age 65, Vern retired from GM after forty years of dedicated service.

Vern enjoyed life’s simple pleasures: Sunday drives, vegetable gardening, flea markets, old westerns, Detroit Tigers baseball, chocolate-covered raisins, and, most of all, tinkering in the garage - especially with old cars like his 1930 Model A, Studebaker, and Doodle Bug. A lifelong outdoorsman, Vern also enjoyed hunting. With the help of his son-in-law, Gale, he harvested a Michigan elk at 79, a buck at 97, and a doe at 98 years old. In his later years, he found joy in afternoon drives with family and friends, spotting windmills, watching the sugar beet harvest, and taking in the countryside. Vern challenged himself and visitors every day at checkers, beating most of his opponents with a simple smile. He also loved a good game of euchre.

For Vern’s 100th birthday, a large Celebration of Life was held, bringing together many family members and friends to share cherished memories.

Left to cherish his memory are his two devoted daughters and their spouses, Denise & Kim Procunier of Sanford, and Lisa & Gale Jackson of Caro; five grandchildren, Colleen (Matt) Russell of Akron, Karmen (DuWayne) Loney of Port Charlotte, Florida, Janelle Procunier of Swartz Creek, Lynette Jackson (fiancé, Kyle Reid) of Caro, and Garrett Procunier of Waterford; five great-grandchildren, Myra, Fern, Margot, Kelvin, and Gloria; and sisters, Iris (Jack) Kappen of Cass City and Isabel Grovom of Grand Blanc. In addition to his parents and wife, Vernon was preceded in death by five siblings, Mary Ellen Hacker, Edward, Arthur, and Loren DuRussel, and Sylvia Tait. Vern’s family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers, Christina and Lori, and friend, John.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at St. Christopher Parish, Sacred Heart Church in Caro with Rev. Isaac Madanu officiating. Vern’s family will be present to receive friends at the church on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 3:00 p.m.

In 2022, Vern proudly donated a rope making machine to the Range Riders Museum in Miles City, Montana. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to make a memorial contribution to Range Riders Museum, Miles City, Montana, c/o 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723 or at www.rangeridersmuseum.com, or to St Christopher Parish Faith Formation Youth Program.