ROCK HILL - Michael Rutherford, 62, beloved son, husband, brother, uncle, and father entered into his Ultimate Retirement last night, Feb. 5, 2009.

The service to celebrate his life will be held 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, at Neely's Creek ARP Church, Rock Hill. The family will receive friends in the social hall after the service.

He was born in Waco, Texas on Oct. 11, 1946, a son of Paul and Betty Rutherford. He was in active Navy duty during the Vietnam War. He retired from 41 years of loyal service to Bowater Inc., as a hardworking shipping clerk then a harder working production scheduler.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jeanne; his daughter Cindy; a sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and Fred Justice; and his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Debbie Rutherford.

He was a man of few words but immeasurable presence.

He was an avid craftsman and outdoorsman and he brought peace and laughter wherever he went. He always had a twinkle in his eye and he loved helping others more than anything. He encouraged us all by his character and his faith, and all who knew him will take what he meant to them and use it to touch someone else's life, their family member's life, their friend's life, a stranger's life, their OWN life. Do not be sorry for our loss - Mike is at peace and so are we - Spread this peace wherever you go. Live in this moment.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Neely's Creek Church-The Villages, or Missions, 974 Neelys Creek Road; Eternal Church of Fort Mill's Care Ministry, P.O. Box 1509, Fort Mill, SC 29716; or the American Cancer Society for research on Anaplastic Thyroid cancer.