Thomas J. (Jake) Zettel

Thomas Jacob (Jake) Zettel passed away on September 13, 2012 at Select Specialty Hospital in Saginaw. Jake married Connie Schliter on June 10, 1961. Jake lived all his life in West Branch except for three years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany where he was in communications and played soccer. He was later recalled to active duty and served in the Army reserve. Jake retired from Coca Cola after 36 years, then working for BZ Patch and Pave for 9 years and Mid-Michigan Paving Company for 4 years. Jake was a member of the West Branch Volunteer Fire Dept. for 60 years. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge, the Knights of Columbus and Holy Family Catholic Church. He was an avid sports fan including NASCAR, an Ogemaw Heights Falcon supporter and rarely missed his children or grandchildrens high school or college sports events. He enjoyed playing cards, deer hunting and being with family. His morning routine was a trip to Schmitt’s Tire, Mac’s for breakfast, West Branch Diesel and Rau’s Cedar Land Dairy Farm. He also enjoyed the Reetz spring maple syrup operation. Jake is survived by four children, Thomas R. (Amy) Zettel, Todd J. (Karen) Zettel, Terry A. (Carrie) Zettel, and Janey K. (Mike) Singer. He is also survived by grandchildren, Brandon (Ashley) Zettel and Courtney (Dan) McVeigh, Trevor and Robie Zettel, Kyle, Jenna, Anthony and Easton Zettel, Max and Quinn Singer, step-grandchildren, Michelle and Madaline Munoz. Also, great-grandchildren Khloe Zettel, Braden and Cora Zettel. He is also survived by his brothers Richard Zettel of Winter Haven FL. and William Zettel of West Branch and his sisters, Joan Poling, Janet (Barry) Wilkinson and Joyce Nelander all of West Branch and a special friend, Nancy Kelley of Oklahoma. Jake was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Connie, on January 26, 2007 and his infant daughter Kim on December 2, 1972, his mother Margaret Reetz Zettel and father Paul Gabriel Zettel. Also, his sister-in-law Eileen Zettel and brothers-in-law Stacy Poling, John Tobin, Jim Nelander and Terry Schliter. Visitation will begin on Friday, September 14, 2012 from 2-9 p.m. at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch. There will be a K of C Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and a Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. On Saturday, Jake will lie in state at Holy Family Catholic Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the Mass of Resurrection at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Patrick Maher will officiate with burial following at St. Joseph Cemetery, West Branch.