Dorothy Marie Dutcher Rule

Dorothy Marie Dutcher Rule, 95, was reunited with the love of her life late Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at home with her family under the tremendous care of SouthernCare Hospice. Special thanks also goes to Grace Ferrin and Cambridge Health for their care.

She was born in Bucyrus on January 19, 1930, to the late Russell and Jewell (Grossman) Dutcher. Dorothy grew up in Bucyrus and graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1948 with perfect attendance, having never missed a single day of school in all her years. Her classmates referred to her as “Dutch” and “Dutcher,” just two of many nicknames she accumulated over 95 years. She was the secretary/treasurer of her class and enjoyed monthly gatherings until they were no longer held. Growing up, many weekends and summers were spent on Lake Erie at her family’s cottage and on the Grossman Farm with her grandparents.

While working for a dry cleaner in Bucyrus, she met a young projectionist and usher for the theater next door by the name of Norman Rule. They were married June 29, 1952 and shared 46 years when he preceded her in death on February 17, 1999. They honeymooned in East Harbor and Lake Erie was always their favorite destination, whether at the family cottage, Put-in-Bay, or Cedar Point for thrills and corn dogs. Other favorite destinations for Norman and Dorothy were Las Vegas and Michigan where they fished for steelhead.

Dorothy was a secretary for attorneys Vollrath, Cory, Pfeifer, and Brown before devoting her attention to her family as a full-time homemaker, raising those she often referred to as “the four best kids ever.” She loved supporting them and later her grandchildren at their events. She was a gifted cook, stirring up family favorites including hash, cubed steak, beef & noodles, spaghetti & meatballs, potato cakes, and dippy eggs. She also loved watching game shows, westerns, Buckeyes & Browns football, solving word puzzles, and the companionship of her cats.

Dorothy is survived by children, Dennis (Jude) Rule, Linda (Christian) Chandler, Barbara (David) Basore, and Laura Rule (Lora Hicks); grandchildren, Christopher (Amanda) Garrett, Jason (Kristie) Chandler, Christi (Matt) Crall, Alisha (Scott) Hollis, Aaron Main, Brittney (Daren) Rowe, Bryan Koons, Davy Taylor, and Josh Bankes; 15 great grandchildren, Cooper, Millie, Colin, Timothy (Sami), Todd (Madison), Opal, Raelyn, Jamison, Jonathon (Chloe), Angel, Broc, Paisley, Mikey, Jami, and Wyatt; and 2 great-great grandchildren, Ollie and Colbie.

In addition to her parents and husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Dutcher.

The Rule family will gather with family and friends for a graveside funeral on Saturday, October 4 at 2:00 pm in Oakwood Cemetery with Pastor Jim Ellis officiating.

Rather than sending flowers, please consider a contribution to the Humane Society Serving Crawford County or the Alzheimer’s Association and give at the service or Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus.

Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook of Dorothy’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.