Ruth Janet Dake
Lifelong Newberry resident, Ruth Janet Dake, 89, died Saturday, June 12, 2021 at Golden Leaves Living Center. Born February 26, 1932 in Newberry, daughter of the late Myrven Pentland and Viola Carpenter, Ruth was a graduate of Newberry High School and attended Michigan State University for one year. In 1951, Ruth married Paul Emerald Dake and had ten children in the following eleven years. Ruth was the very first employee of the Luce County Public Employees Credit Union (later renamed the Tahquamenon Area Credit Union) where she served as the Assistant Treasurer/Manager for her entire work life until her retirement in January of 1990. Ruth was a member of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church for 70 years, longtime member of the Michigan Forest Association and awarded Michigan Tree Farmer of the Year several times, past Board Member of the Luce County Logging Museum, past member of the Red Hat Ladies of Newberry, member of VFW Auxiliary Post 3033 and long-time member of the local Cribbage Club. Ruth was also a longtime supporter of Pet Pals. In addition to her parents, Ruth is preceded in death by husband Paul Emerald Dake on June 8, 1990; son Neal J. Dake; granddaughter Whitney Michelle Dake; brothers Howard Carpenter, Roger Carpenter and Eddie Carpenter; sisters Ruby Owen, Charlotte Drake and Jenny Carlson. Survivors include her children Paul (Kay) Dake of Pinconning, Michigan, Deborah (Peter) LaBlance of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Cyndi (Randy) Potter of Grand Ledge, Michigan, Myrven (Deanna) Dake of Newberry, Michigan, Marlene (Jon) Glaesmann of Newberry, Michigan, Rebecca (Fred) Evans of Pinconning, Michigan, Thomas (Nancy) Dake of Gillett, Wisconsin, Paula (Mark) Jordan of Brenham, Texas, and Pamela Dake of Springfield, Missouri; 22 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. A gathering of family and friends will take place Wednesday, June 23, 2021 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Newberry. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am at the church with Fr. Marty Flynn officiating. Rite of Committal will take place at the Dake family homestead in Pentland Township. Memorials may be directed to St. Gregory’s Catholic Church or Pet Pals, in her loving memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Dustin Matthew Jussila
Dustin Matthew Jussila was born March 21, 1979 to Cindy Ayotte of Sanford, MI and Matthew Jussila of Midland, MI. He departed this life May 20, 2021 at the age of 42 from a tragic car accident in Oklahoma. He graduated from Merrill High School in 1997. Dustin attended Central Michigan University where he studied, performed, toured, and recorded with master percussionist Robert Hohner and his ensemble. Dustin earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education from Oklahoma City University in 2009. On June 1, 2020, Dustin Jussila and Julian White were united in marriage. Dustin previously taught band at Saginaw, Michigan, Blanchard, Oklahoma, and Mustang, Oklahoma before moving to take the Middle School Band position in Cushing, Oklahoma. Dustin performed with the Oklahoma Philharmonic Orchestra, Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, Enid Symphony, and the Midland Symphony Orchestra. Dustin was a very active percussion teacher, performer, and adjudicator throughout Oklahoma and Michigan and was in demand as a wind and percussion arranger/ composer for many schools and colleges throughout the United States. His passion was music which he enjoyed sharing with his students. He enjoyed fishing, playing golf, and exploring the culinary arts. He is survived by his wife, Julian Jussila and family of Cushing, Oklahoma, mother Cindy Ayotte (David Sleeper) of Sanford, MI, father Matthew Jussila of Midland, MI; brother, Ryan (Christie) Jussila of St. Charles, MI; step sister Kim (Harry) Gough of Traverse City, MI; step brother, Kevin Ayotte of Sanford, MI, Uncle Gary (Marilyn) Orlich of St. Paul, MN; nephews, Andrew and Cash Jussila, and Brandon Ayotte; nieces, Amanda Gough and Melissa Ayotte, cousins Megan Sullivan and Andrew Orlich, and grandmother, Ruth Jussila. Dustin was preceded in death by his step father, Raymond Ayotte; grandfather, Matthew Jussila; grandparents, George and Blanche Orlich; and niece, Erica Gough. A memorial service will take place at a later date in Michigan. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Merrill High School for a Music Scholarship in Dustin’s name. Merrill High School 555 W. Alice St Merrill, Michigan 48637. Arrangements are under the care of Wilson MILLER Funeral Home 4210 N. Saginaw Rd Midland, Michigan. Personal messages of condolence maybe offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com
