Obituary of David Richard Zettle

Zettle, David R. West Branch, Michigan On April 9, 2021, David Richard Zettle, age 66, took up his tool belt, hock, and trowel and rode the wings of an angel to our Heavenly Father’s home. On October 18, 1954, David was the firstborn child to Dick and Irene (Trout) Zettle in West Branch, MI, where he spent his entire life. He was predeceased by his parents; paternal grandparents, Grover and Hazel (Horsel) Zettle; his maternal grandparents, Henry and Lucinda (Burt) Trout; and son, Ghent Wilson Zettle. After dating for five years, David married his high school sweetheart, LuAnn Benjamin, and together they shared nearly 52 years of memorable moments. He spent many loving and tender moments with his children, Geran David Lucyn (Theresa Wymer) Zettle and his beautiful talented daughter, Ganae’ LuClara Zettle, and of late, getting acquainted with his future son-in-law, Connor Robelli. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Dallas (the bowler) and Oliver (the farmer). Having learned the plastering trade from his father, David began working summers for Tri-City Acoustical Company and after nearly 40 years retired at age 56, having passed on his drywall skills to his brother, Greg, and his wet plaster and EFIS skills to his children, Geran and Ganae’. As a brother to Susan (Zettle) Martinez, David always made himself available to her needs. David was a founding member and Past President of the Ogemaw Pullers Association, an active member for many years with the Ogemaw Agriculture Society - helping with the county fair. David was a member of the Sunrise Side Antique Tractor Club and the Pioneer Power Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club. He enjoyed the comradery with likeminded members and participating in the Mackinaw Bridge Crossings, plow days, and Christmas parties. As a member of the Ogemaw County Genealogical and Historical Society, David and his wife, LuAnn, set in motion the acquisition of the Blumenthal Mansion. They enjoyed working with key people, Bob Griffin Sr., Dale Peters, and Barry Wilkinson to renovate the historical mansion into the Ogemaw County Historical Museum. David was a member of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Association and was hired by the State of Michigan to use his wet plastering skills to save several precious, but dilapidated, lighthouses along Michigan’s shoreline and upon the Great Lakes waters, such as the Four Mile Light, Tawas Light, and others. A Tractor Crawl in honor of David’s life will be held on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Staging will begin at the Pioneer Power Grounds on M-55 in West Branch, with line-up at 10:30 am, and the Crawl at 11:00 am. Those unseated from tractors are welcome to join the procession in their vehicle on the Crawl into West Branch, to the Zettle farm for a eulogy and luncheon. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com