MICHAEL D. PUGH

June 3, 1965 - Aug. 26, 2008
SOUTH BEND - Michael Dee Pugh Jr., 43, passed away in his home on Tuesday, August 26, 2008, after his courageous battle with cancer. Michael was born June 3, 1965 in South Bend, IN to Michael and Sharon (Pietrzak) Pugh Sr. On April 21, 1984, in South Bend, he married Darlene Zarobinski, who survives. Michael was a strong, devoted, and loving husband, father, son and brother.

He graduated from John Adams High School in 1983.

He previously owned and operated Avenue Auto from 1996-2002 and had been employed at Hilti, Inc. since July 2002. Michael enjoyed fishing, listening to music, playing guitar, cooking and smoking on the grill and most of all being with his family and friends. Good times were shared around the fire pit in the evening and renting a cabin at Potato Creek at Christmas was a wonderful family tradition. He was an avid Notre Dame and Pittsburgh Steelers fan

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Darlene; his son, Michael III; daughter, Renee; grandson, Tucker; his parents, Michael Sr. and Sharon Pugh; a brother, Stephen (Elizabeth April) Pugh; nephew, Stephen; nieces, Stephanie, Shelby, Jessica, Bryana and Brittany; fathers-in-law and mothers-in law, Bill and Denise Fowler, Floyd and Sandra Zarobinski; grandmother-in-law, Niadah Havener (Mike Wetmore) and many special aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Michael was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Wanda and Clem Pietrzak and Henrietta Burdick; paternal grandparents, Violet and James H. Pugh Sr., and Wisconsin grandparents, Betty and Joseph Drucks.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 30, 2008, at Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave, South Bend. Rev. Derrick Sneyd will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home, where a Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Michael D. Pugh Jr. may be made to Fred Russ Forest-Newton Woods, c/o Cass County Parks Department Office, 340 North O'Keefe St., Cassopolis, MI 49031, or to Michael D. Pugh Trust Fund at Wells Fargo Bank, 2926 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, IN 46615.