Dorothy Pearl Royer

Dorothy Pearl Royer, age 82, of Goetzville, Michigan, died on April 17, 2019 surrounded by loved ones at her home. She was born on August 22, 1936 in Cedarville, Michigan, to George Luther and Pearl Maggie (Chenier) Dutcher. Dorothy grew up in Cedarville and attended Cedarville Schools. She began working at Lil’s Restaurant in Cedarville before moving to Detroit, Michigan, for a year. When she returned, she started working at the Sault Ste. Marie Veneer Mill. One day at work, she met Richard Lee Royer and they married on December 22, 1973 at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church in Goetzville. While raising two children, Dorothy worked at the Kinross Air Force Base making ammunition for Kinross Manufacturing. She then completed training to become a Certified Nurses Assistant and worked for the Sault Tribe Elder Services Division. Later, she managed the food service program at JKL Bahweting Anishnabe School for fifteen years. She also cooked for the Hessel Tribal Center for five years before retiring. Dorothy was a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the Sault Tribe Hessel Elder Board, and the St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church. Dorothy devoted much of her life to youth. She taught regalia making, sewing and beading through the YEA. She also cooked for the Sault Tribe Future Leaders camps. Dorothy was an avid wrestling fan, watching it every Monday and Tuesday. She also liked sewing, knitting, camping, and dancing the polka. She was an avid golfer in her younger years. She enjoyed gardening, berry picking, canning, cooking and baking. Most of all, she enjoyed helping others. She had a knack for seeing a need and helping others learn how to help themselves. She was a standing post of life to many, a protector of those in need and an honest admirable friend to all. Her laughter and strength of love will be missed by all. Not to mention those pies and sticky buns! Dorothy is survived by her husband, Richard Royer; daughters, Robin (Richard Socia Jr.) Seaman of Goetzville, and Caryn (Josh Firack) Routhier of Dafter, Michigan; grandchildren, Pearl Seaman, Joseph (Sheila Pahl) Seaman, Abigail Royer, Isaac Royer, Ashton Routhier; sisters, Jeanie (Dutcher) Haynes of Westville, Indiana; brothers, John (Roy) Dutcher of Hessel, Michigan, Francis (Frenchy) Dutcher of Cedarville, Georgie and Sharon Callaghan (nephew) of Hernando, Florida and Mary (Callaghan) Watson (niece) of Cedarville. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; Pearl Maggie (Chenier) and George Luther Duthcher; brothers, Ernest Dutcher, William (Billy) Dutcher, George (Junior) Dutcher, Edwin Dutcher, William (Billy) Callaghan (nephew); sisters, Doris (Dutcher) Callagan, Helen (Dutcher) Leach, Melvadean (Dutcher) Warner, and Pearl Callaghan Hibbard (niece); brothers-in-law, Kenneth Haynes, James “Jimmy” Warner, William Leach; sisters-in-laws, Kathy, Peggy and Frances Dutcher. Visitation will be held on April 25, 2019 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan. The Funeral Service will follow at 1:00 P.M. A Traditional Drum ceremony and luncheon will immediately follow at the Sault Tribe Elder Center in Hessel. Burial will be at Lytle Cemetery in Goetzville on her old dirt road later in the spring. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

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Dorothy Pearl Royer

August 22, 1936 - April 17, 2019