Jeff Tuttle, radio personality, dies after battle with cancer

Jeff Tuttle, the Monroe radio personality and devoted community supporter, died early Saturday morning after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 61.

“He was a large part of Monroe with not only his music, but everywhere he went he knew just about everyone,” said friend Deb Staelgraeve. “He loved his music, he loved his family and, most of all, he loved the Lord.”

Diagnosed only months ago, Tuttle, the morning voice of Nash Icon 98.3, began his chemotherapy treatments in August and was the focus of many fundraisers in Monroe. However, his health deteriorated, and he died around 4 a.m. Saturday.

“He supported so many and, at the end, the community rallied around him,” said his friend, Ralph Mahalak Jr. “The fundraisers for him were packed. Jeff went full throttle. He was on the air seven days a week. His weekend shows were huge hits across the country. 98.3 will never be the same without Jeff.”

Despite his diagnosis of stage 4, Tuttle said in July he was grateful for a career that included his deep love of sports, especially boxing, his country bands, his wife, Michelle, and his family.

“I know where I’m going,” he said in July.

“He’s been the most positive person throughout this whole thing,” added Michelle at the time.

Born and raised in Monroe, Tuttle was the youngest of six children to parents Sherman and Liz. While at Monroe High School, he began his radio career helping cover sports at WVMO. As a teenager, he had exceptional exposure to professional Detroit sporting events and Kronk boxing.

He became friends with boxer Thomas “Hitman” Hearns and especially International Boxing Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward. His career took him around the world where he sang country songs with his various bands.

He then returned to Monroe after living in Ireland and started the popular morning show. He was well-known and well-recognized for making appearances at many community functions.

Mahalak said he joined his friend on the radio airwaves for fundraisers and once completed an exhausting benefit for 12 hours straight.

“He was Monroe’s biggest and best cheerleader,” Mahalak said. “We could talk on air for hours on end. We had so much fun. He will be missed by many.”

Mahalak said he is presenting a check to the Karmanos Cancer Research next week for pancreatic cancer research.

“I hate pancreatic cancer,” Mahalak said. “Monroe has lost so many wonderful people the last couple of years. So many who did so much to support the entire community like Jeff Tuttle, Denny Miller, Ron LaBeau, Arlene Walsh, Dick Sieb, Judge Mike Weipert, Glenda Kennon. Who is going to replace these legends?”

In addition to his wife, Michelle and her two grown children, Tuttle leaves behind four children and five grandchildren. Funeral services are pending.