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Douglas Thurston Obituary
He was born in Midland on March 13, 1937, son of Viola (Weiler) Wright and the late Leon Thurston. He attended Beaverton and Midland Schools. On Sept. 29 1955, he married his childhood sweetheart Barbara Havens. He worked as a pipefitter at The Dow Chemical Co., retiring in 1988. After retirement, he and Barb, along with her parents, Marion and Floyd Havens, cruised the Bahama Islands on a private boat for two months, fishing and enjoying the sights. He was a volunteer member of the Edenville Fire department for many years. He was also an avid baseball player, fisherman, and hunter. He was proud that, in his 71 years, he took 70 bucks. In his later years, he enjoyed golfing with friends and, most of all, spending time with his five grandchildren. On an average day, he could be found watching the birds from his kitchen window, forwarding jokes by email, or organizing his thousands of baseball cards. He was a man of many interests, who was never afraid to share his opinions. He took great pride in his family, and always expressed his love in many little ways.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Barb; his children, Peggy Thurston of New Port Richey, Fla., Merry Scheitler of Durand, and Jerry and Brenda Thurston of Midland; his grandchildren, Melanie, Sarah, Taylor and Nathan; and his great-granddaughter, Adison. He is also survived by his two mothers, Viola Wright and Marion Havens; stepmother, Harriet Gustof; and siblings, Jim, Barb, Connie, Sherry, Kathy, Kim, Kurt, Dan, Calvin, Roger and Carolyn. He was predeceased by his father, Leon; and brother, Ron.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, 2008, from the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler St., Midland. Pastor Patrick Ryan Poag of the Edenville United Methodist Church will officiate, with burial to follow in the New Edenville Township Cemetery.
Doug's family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of services.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Edenville United Methodist Church. If you are unable to visit with family in person you may send your condolences through www.waresmithwoolever.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Douglas Thurston
Curt Thurston
August 29, 2019
I just cant believe its been almost 11 years. I still miss him. Barb, Jerry, Peg, Merry its been too long since I've seen all of you. It must have been at Big Boy in Midland. Hope to see you all again soon.
Julie O'Brien
September 11, 2008
Dear Barb and Family......
May God bless you and your family during this difficult time in your lives. You and Doug have been a part of our lives and family since I can remember.
There are so many fond memories of Doug, but one of my favorites is when I was a young teen up north camping at Mullett Lake....like our families always did. Dad, Doug and I went out fishing one evening and I caught two huge Walleye. Dad and Doug caught nothing but had such fun watching me reel in those fish. I remember it like it was yesterday. Dad told me later that he and Doug had no bait on their hooks so that I would do all the catching. Truth or not, it would not surprise me at all. But I will always remember being so proud that I out did the two "fishermen" Bob and Doug. LOL
This is one of so many fond memories I have of spending time with Doug.
Now years later, he has also made an impact on the lives of my children. My oldest son Alec still laughs and laughs about the time he, dad and Doug all went golfing together and how funny Doug was out there on the golf course. Alec adored him as well.
He touched so many of our lives and will be missed. His presence filled the room and he always made us laugh. Gods blessings to you and your family as He helps you all thru this very difficult time. His memory will live on in our lives as well as the laughter he brought to all of our hearts.
We love you sweetie.....many hugs and kisses to you.
Julie (Roberson) & Robert O'Brien, and our kids Alec, Blaine and Kelly
Kim Thurston
September 8, 2008
Barb, Merry, Peg, Jerry
My condolenses and sympathy goes out to each of you at this sad time.
I, like all Doug’s siblings have special memories that come to mind. The Christmas get togethers that were always special. The fun times that the girls and I had together. And of course always seeing how big the deer was that Doug got each year.
While, in my adult years, time, distance, and circumstance made contact rarer than I would have liked, these memories are always with me, memories that I will always treasure.
I am so sorry about our loss, and I want you to know my love, prayers and thoughts are with you all at this time.
Kim
Curt Thurston
September 8, 2008
Dear Barb, Merry, Peggy, Jerry,
I loved Doug and will miss him very much. He was always both a big brother and a father figure to me. I loved hearing that booming laugh and his fishing and hunting stories. I know he and dad are up there right now playing cards. I wish I could have been there with you. I hope to see you all soon.
Love Curt, Roslyn, Emily, and Caden
Kipp Krotzer
September 8, 2008
Aunt Barb, we are sorry to here of your loss.Our thoughts are with you in your time of sorrow.May God be with you. We Love you. Kipp and Wanda Krotzer
Ann Swayze
September 7, 2008
Dear Barb--
I am so very sorry to read of your loss. I know that Doug was the love of your life and best friend for over 50 years. I had been with Clark for almost as long when he was suddenly taken away just two months ago, so I have lived with the shock of being totally unprepared for the awful void that so suddenly fills your life.
Your wonderful family and your priceless memories will be your lifeline now. Although my loss is fresh, the help of family and dear friends has enabled me to begin to build a new life. Healing is slow, but you will find that despite the ups and downs, every week gets a bit better.
I will be thinking of you.
Love,
Ann Cheney Swayze
Kammi Krotzer
September 6, 2008
Aunt Barb and family
I am so sorry for the loss of Uncle Doug. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. No words can take away the pain but know I am thinking of all of you. I will always remember how You and Un Doug took time away while in Florida to be with my family and me when we lost Tam. That meant more than words can say. Thank you for your kindess! All my love Kammi Jo
Sarge Regan
September 6, 2008
My condolences to the Thurston clan. Thinking of Doug always brings to mind the No Name Storm of '93 and packratting all the goodies and it brings a smile. I will miss my friend.
Connie & Richard Brabaw
September 5, 2008
Dear Barb, Merry, Peggy, Jerry,
I am saying prayers for all of you and sending our love.
Words cant express the sadness I feel in losing my brother.
I love him and will miss him so much.
THE special memories and the closeness Richard and I always felt just being with Barb and Doug each time in life was so "SPECIAL".
WE will miss him so much.
He was so proud of Barb, and his kids and grand kids and his great grand child,,he loved his family.
May God help all of you and our family through the next part of life with much strength and his blessings.
Until we meet him again on the other side, God will take care of him.
We love you brother, Doug, and will miss you lots, until we meet on that blissful shore.
Love ,
Sis & Rich
l
Kathy Thurston Hansen
September 5, 2008
Barb, Peggy, Merry & Jerry:
No words can convey how sad I feel losing my big brother. I remember being so excited (I was about 12)when he would practice ball at the school across the street and I would go there to watch him practice. Always telling anyone that would listen "he's my big brother". He was such a great and fun person and I remember loving to have "Doug and 'Doug's Barb' and the kids" come to visit when we were young. Although I do not get to see you all very often, I would "talk" with Doug on email and was a recipient of his numerous...and I mean numerous....jokes that he would forward. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers and I love you. I only wish I could be there to hug each of you.
Love and prayers,
Little sister/Aunt Kathy
Jeff Abbe & Family
September 5, 2008
Just wanted to say how soory I am for your loss.
Paul Woods Jr.
September 5, 2008
I'm very sorry for your loss. I enjoyed Doug for more years than I care to remember. I appreciated what he went through the last few years. Sincerely Paul Woods JR
Shannon Vasicek
September 5, 2008
Dear Barb,
I am so,so sorry for your loss. "Barb and Doug" is one of the sound-bite phrases of my life. Not just from the days of running in and out of your house as much as ours. But also as we left home, when we still heard "Barb and Doug" a lot from Mom & Dad, who treasured your friendship so much. You know, we Carrigan kids used to love November 16; we would try to wake up early and run to the front window to check - and sure enough, there was ALWAYS a deer hanging in Doug's garage - what a mighty hunter! And how cool when he played softball with us because he was a REAL ball player and we loved going to his games. Peggy, Merry and Jerry - you're never prepared and it's hard, but the good memories do help later.
Thoughts & prayers,
Shannon
Jodi Zwarych
September 5, 2008
Dear Barb and Family-
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Doug has left many memories that can never be taken away. We will miss him so much, but remember him forever. We love you and want you to know we are thinking about you.
Love, Jodi, Mike, Kyle & Lauryn Zwarych
Mark Fischer
September 5, 2008
We loved our Doug; and could never express enough or show our gratitude for the friendship he provided our family over the years. He was a mentor to all of us Fischer kids and we're truly thankful for having him in our lives.
Tonda Cole
September 5, 2008
Cousin Barbie,
I pray for you today and I am so sorry to hear about Cousin Doug..Somewhere today, he and Grandpa are on Heavens Ocean, fishing away and having the time of their lives. I am sure, no matter where they are, there is a shower for our fisherman...I love you! I am so sorry for your loss. Cuz will be so greatly missed. He was my buddie!
All our love and prayers,
Tonda, Chris, Gary, Kaden and Cooper
Todd Thurston
September 4, 2008
Barb and family
We are so sorry for your loss, uncle Doug was a good man and will be missed. We are so sorry we can not make it down, but you are all in our prayers.
Todd, Dawn, Alec and Teresa Thurston
September 4, 2008
Barbara Kay & Family - Our thoughts and prayers are with you all - We don't know you all as well as I would like - but
please know that we are saddened by the news. Our prayers were with you all last evening at our church, and each day through this time. Janine , Lorin & Kelli
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