Eugene C. "Chum" Utterback

Eugene "Chum" Utterback, passed away peacefully, Sunday, November 5, 2023, at his home with his family by his side. He was 83. Eugene by birth, he was known as Chum to most. If you met Chum, you wouldn't forget him. Never short on a sense of humor, he would greet you with a joke or share a good story that would leave you with a smile on your face. Chum was born August 7, 1940, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He was the second of four children born to Chelsea and Helen (Craft) Utterback, joining his elder sister, Imogene and younger siblings, Charlene and Terry. After graduating from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1958, Chum worked for his father. He married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Coughlin, in a ceremony at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Irishtown. After attending Central Michigan University for two years, he returned to his father's company, C.E. Utterback, to assist in constructing state and county roads. In 1971 he joined Local 324 Operating Engineers working in pipeline construction for 45 years, a job which took him all over the United States. He enjoyed helping in the community and, along with his father Chelsea, helped to build the Isabella County Fairgrounds and Mt. Pleasant Community Memorial Football Stadium. He retired in 2002. Chum enjoyed fishing, golfing, and tending to his yard. However, nothing gave him more joy and satisfaction than to be in the presence of his beloved family, who will miss him dearly. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of nearly 62 years, Ruth; six children, Tracy Hull of Mt. Pleasant, Curt (Robyn) Utterback, of Mt. Pleasant, Kevin Utterback of Warren, Carrie (Jay) Birchmeier of Kalamazoo, Kelly (George) Conn of Breckenridge, and Heidi (Jerome) Helminiak of South Lyon; 10 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; siblings, Imogene Pilarski of Utica, Charlene Priest of Winn, and Terry (Allison) Utterback of Georgia; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chelsea and Helen Utterback. Cremation has taken place at Memorial Fields Crematory and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, November 20, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski as celebrant. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Sunday, November 19, from 3-7 p.m. with the Vigil Service and time for sharing beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Monday one hour prior to Mass. Following the committal at Calvary Cemetery, all are invited to a meal at Lincoln Reception Center (attached to the funeral home). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Isabella Community Soup Kitchen or the Karma Kat Cafe. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com. Chum firmly believed his last day on earth was also his first day of eternal life. As Chum would say, "Here's to you and here's to me, I hope we never disagree. But if we do, the hell with you, so here's a toast to me." Cheers, Chum!