Darwin Cutler

Darwin Cutler was born in St. Louis MO but lived his entire life in Michigan living in Palo, Middleville, and Cascade Township.  He graduated from Thornapple Kellogg High School.

Darwin demonstrated his love for his country by serving in the Air Force as an Aircraft Mechanic. He served as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War. He attended every single Memorial Day service at Alaska Cemetery from 1967 to 2025.  He was very proud of his children who marched in the parade in Alaska as Scouts and band members.

After the Air Force, he worked briefly for Keeler Brass before he started a lifelong career at CSX Transportation (formerly Chessie System/Chesapeake and Ohio Railway) as an air brake specialist.

Because he grew up on the farm and with his mechanical work, Darwin could fix just about anything, and his family relied on those skills.  Those skills were used and expanded when Darwin and his wife, Hazel built their dream home on the Thornapple River with help and guidance of his father-in-law and other family members.  This home is where he taught his children perseverance, fiscal responsibility, respect for the community and environment.  He set the expectation of a smile and kind word for everyone.  Friends and neighbors always remarked on his friendliness. He spent many hours teaching young and old how to waterski on the river.

Upon retiring after 44 years at the railroad, Darwin went to work for his son’s company Cutler Builders for nearly 20 years, working alongside the carpenters, doing anything on the jobsite that was needed.   He was still setting and bracing trusses at age 82. After his second retirement, Darwin volunteered at Gilmore Car Museum where his friendly smile greeted hundreds of visitors.  

He is deeply loved and survived by his children, Diane (Chris Malachino) and Douglas (Abbie); six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews who declared him to be a gentle, non-judgmental, awesome hugging uncle. He is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Margaret Pratt, Thomas and Linda Pratt, Donald and Lynne Pratt, Kathryn Pratt. His 80 plus year friendship with Richard Stager was a testament to his loyalty to others.

Darwin was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Hazel (Pratt); parents, Elias and Margaret Cutler; brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Beatrice Cutler.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 3-5 pm and 6-8 pm at MKD Funeral Home, 616 E. Main Street SE, Caledonia and on Friday, October 3 from 10-11 am prior to the 11 am funeral service at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 8436 Kraft Ave. SE, Caledonia, with Pastor David Miller officiant. 

The family is grateful to the entire staff at StoryPoint Grand Rapids East and CorsoCare Hospice who took such great care of him and were rewarded by his lovely smile.