John Jacob Gettel

John Jacob Gettel III, age 75 of Pigeon, passed away Monday, March 2, 2015 at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe.
Born in Bad Axe on July 24, 1939, he was the son of Otto and Jean E. (Lester) Gettel. He graduated from Snell "University" Rural School in Winsor Township, and graduated in 1957 from Pigeon High School. He attended Michigan State University, Central Michigan University, and Alma College. On May 8, 1958 he met MaryAnne McIntyre at a Pigeon High School dance, and they were married on January 31, 1961 at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Monroe.
John worked from 1962-1978 for Monroe Automotive Equipment Company, then owned and operated a vending business with his son, which they later sold.
John was a member of the "Irish" Club while living in Monroe, as well as the Jaycees and the MAECO Retirees Club. He was a former member of the Monroe Club and Trinity Episcopal Church in Monroe.
John was a member of the Audubon Society of Central Florida and the Scottish American Society, Central Florida, where he had served as treasurer for six years. He was a partner with the Las Olas Beach Club development. He attended the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Longwood, Florida, and was a member of the church vestry.
John was a member of the Black River Ranch near Atlanta, Michigan and the Otsego Ski Club. He was also a member of the Sand Point Association, where he was formerly the historian, and was a co-founder of the Sand Point Mens Club. He attended St. John Episcopal Church, Sand Point, and had formerly attended Pigeon First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, MaryAnne Gettel of Pigeon; sons, John Jacob "Jay" Gettel IV and his wife Kimberly of Brighton, Andrew Davis "Andy" Gettel and his wife Nicki of Apopka, Florida, and Charles DeRutte "Charlie" Gettel of Superior, Colorado; grandchildren: Nicole E. Gettel, John J. Gettel V, Sean W. Gettel, Hannah F. Gettel, Andrew D. Gettel II, Curtis N. Gettel, Emily A. Gettel, and Jacob M. Gettel; James M. Tipton, Benjamin J. Tipton, and Victoria A. Tipton; and Dalton J. Gettel and Alyssa K. Gettel; great-grandson, Jordan; brother-in-law, Maurice "Bud" Martin of Mecosta; in-laws, Charles S. (Irma) McIntyre III, Marjorie (Jack) Hohman, and Lydia (Malcolm) Hughes; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jane Elizabeth Gettel Tipton; sister, Anne Martin; and brother-in-law John McIntyre.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2015 at St. John Episcopal Church, Sand Point. Visitation at the church will begin at 12:00 noon.
Memorials may be made to Scheurer Hospital, Pigeon.