Obituary of Joseph "Joe" Milton McCutcheon

Joseph Milton McCutcheon was born in Morgan County, Alabama on November 13, 1947.   He was one of eleven children born from the union of the late James and Jewel (Boggs) McCutcheon.   He attended Cotaco High School before enlisting in the United States Navy where he would complete his GED.   He was a boxer while serving his country honorably from 1965-1967.  

Joe married the former Hilda Nichols on December 10, 1968.   The couple moved to Michigan and Joe began working at the Ford Motor Company, River Rouge Plant the same month.   As the patriarch of the family, Joe worked hard and took the responsibility of providing for his family.   He served in many capacities at Ford over the years including machine operator and hi-lo driver retiring in November of 1999 after thirty-one years of service.   For many years he had participated in a work bowling league in Wayne County.

An avid Alabama fan, Joe also loved traveling looking forward to his yearly jaunt to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.   He enjoyed entertaining at his home and he was a great cook and grill master.   Joe’s pork shoulder and ribs were amazing.   He often fished Lake Erie on his small boat.   In high school he had played football and he later shared this passion with his children by playing pickup games in the yard.

Joseph, age 71, of Newport passed away on Friday, November 16, 2018 at his home under the care of Great Lakes Caring Hospice.   In addition to his parents his passing was preceded by four brothers:  Larry, Johnny, Johnny Dale, and Jimmy McCutcheon; and a sister:  Peggy Berry.

To cherish his memory Joe leaves his beloved wife of nearly fifty years:  Hilda of Newport; three children:  Michael (Tennery) of Monroe, Tina of Newport, and Joey (Tara) McCutcheon of Monroe; five siblings:  Carolyn, Mary, Jerry, Don, and Joe (Gwen) McCutcheon all of Alabama; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law:  Edward and Connie Ourlian; fourteen grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.  

Friends may gather from 11:00am-2:00pm on Tuesday; November 20, 2018 at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185.   A Celebration of His Life will take place at 2:00pm also at Merkle’s.   Procession will follow to Roselawn where graveside services will be under the auspices of Monroe Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1138.

Memorials are suggested to Great Lakes Caring Hospice.   Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.