Eldon Charles Dietzel

Eldon Charles (Pretzel) Dietzel, 90, of Owendale passed away peacefully on May 8, 2018, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon.

He was born on December 18, 1927, to the late Alvin M. & Lucy L. (Faupel) Dietzel on the family farm in Elkton. He attended Elkton High School, graduating in 1945, where he excelled in basketball and earned the nickname “Pretzel” that stayed with him his entire life.
On May 14, 1949 he was united in marriage to Joyce L. Kretzschmer at Salem EUB Church in Pigeon; she preceded him in death on June 12, 2004, after 55 years of marriage. They enjoyed cruises and dancing at the LFA hall and the music festivals in Frankenmuth. They enjoyed spending several weeks during the winters visiting their daughter in Arizona.

Eldon farmed his entire life. He was a member of the Owen-Gage school board from 1966 to 1975 serving as president for 4 years. Eldon served on the Scheurer Hospital Board of Directors for 17 years from 1971 to 1988 and as its chairman for 6 years. He also served on the Board of Thumb National Bank from 1986 to 1999. Eldon was a former member of the Owendale Lions Club. He was a member of Salem United Methodist Church and served on many committees over the years. He sang bass in the Salem Choir and the Pigeon Men’s Community Chorus. He enjoyed the Thumb Two Cylinder Club and being a member of the Huron County T.R.I.A.D. and driving in parades for them.

Eldon is survived by daughters Marjorie VanDyke of Holt, Patricia (John) VanZant of Apache Junction, Arizona, Kathy McQueen of Bay Port and Angela (Gerald) Dubs of Owendale; grandsons, Jeremy (Kristen) Dubs, Jim (Becky) McQueen, Mike McQueen, Jeff (Alicia Wiederhold) Dubs, Kevin (Sammi Bruce) Dubs Scott (Caitlin) VanZant and Kevin VanZant; great grandchildren Mason Dubs, Alexis Thompson, Dylan Thompson, Caden Curran, Shaianne Loughner, Bryce Loughner, Tyler VanZant and Nichole VanZant; great-great grandchild Roger Vadner; brother & sister Don (Sharon) Dietzel and Eileen (John) Bedford: in-laws Ruth Damm, Gloria Kretzschmer, Carol (Ray) Ruszala and Leon (Priscilla Kreh) Kretzschmer and very special friend Marilyn Elenbaum.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two sons–in–law, Glenn VanDyke and James McQueen and in-laws Harold Kretzschmer, Fritz Damm, Dale & Lorraine Kretzschmer, LeRoy & Jean Kretzschmer, Loren Kuebler, Janet Kretzschmer & Joyce Kretzschmer.
Our heartfelt thanks to Becky Kemp for her care and companionship these past several months.

Funeral services will be Noon Saturday, May 12th at Salem United Methodist Church with Rev. David K. Stewart Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Grand Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-8pm Friday at church and one hour before the service on Saturday at church. Champagne Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to Salem United Methodist Church, Bay Shore Camp or Scheurer Hospital/Country Bay Village.