Brenda Joy Dutro

With great sadness we announce that Brenda Joy Dutro, 79, of Fort Pierce, Florida, died peacefully on July 27, 2022.

Joy was born on November 8, 1942 to Jim and Grace Rice in Zanesville, Ohio. She graduated from Maysville High School. She went on to serve customers in Mr. D’s, the restaurant she owned with her late husband of 43 years, Bernard E Dutro. In 1978 she moved to Fort Pierce, Florida where she managed the restaurant in the Fort Pierce Kmart store.

Joy was a member of the Crossing Community Church in Fort Pierce where she volunteered in its Georgia Ave thrift store. Joy touched so many lives through her F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely On God) ministry. She handed out hundreds of small plastic frogs along with some gentle words of encouragement and hope. She also generously supported the Central American medical mission work of Total Health.

Joy loved to take care of and rescue cats. She was an avid jigsaw puzzle worker, quilter, and collector of angel figurines.

Joy is survived by her brothers Jim Rice (Billie) of Carroll, OH and Steve Rice (Marla) of Nashport, OH, and sister Glenna Rice of Ashland, OH; children Larry E Dutro (Carol Sala) of Fort Pierce, Jay Flinn (Darla) of Ostrander, OH, Christy Chastain (Mike Sacramo) of Forest Park, GA and Rhonda Yongue (Donnie) of Port St Lucie; grandchildren Heather Kowalewski, Betsy Dutro, Larry E Dutro Jr., Chandra Valentin, Patricia Goldrick, Brooke Flinn, Charles O’Donovan, Matthew Nichols, Jonathan Nichols, and Amanda Albert; and 20 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard E Dutro and son Bernard E Dutro Jr.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2022 from 2-4 PM at Haisley Funeral Home, Fort Pierce. A service will be held on Monday, August 1, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Haisley Funeral Home, Fort Pierce. Burial will follow at White City Cemetery.

There will be a gathering following the service at the Palm Grove Community Clubhouse at 5951 Travelers Way in Fort Pierce.