Larry D. Gettel

Larry D. Gettel of Caro, age 75, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. Larry was born November 18, 1944 in Cass City, the son of the late Vern & Lydia Amelia (Witzke) Gettel and graduated from Caro High School with the class of 1963. While in high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve and joined active duty shortly after his graduation. During his service, Larry was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and sailed on the destroyer USS Damato as a boilerman. Upon his honorable discharge in 1965, he began a career with General Motors, Saginaw Steering Gear, first as a machinist and later as a security guard. He retired in 1999 but was unable to sit still so he began a second career with Caro Community Schools as a custodian, retiring for the second time in 2016. Larry was united in marriage with the former Betty Cramer on June 1, 1968 in Caro, and she survives. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro and the Michigan American Legion. Larry loved floating on his pontoon boat and will be remembered as a man that could build or fix practically anything. He believed in lifelong learning and enjoyed poetry and opera. Larry was known by many in the area as a humble hero and constant family man. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Betty Gettel of Caro; two daughters, Lori Calery and her companion, Raymundo Cortez, of Caro, Lynn LeBlanc and her husband, Jamison, of Caro; eight grandchildren, Chelsea Sebert and her husband, Dakota, of Vassar, Lindy Calery of Caro, Jessica Rinner and her husband, Andrew, of St. Croix, Jessica Campbell of Sterling Heights, Amber LeBlanc, of Petoskey, Emily Campbell of Saginaw, Sarah LeBlanc currently deployed with the U.S. Air Force, Andrew Campbell of Caro; one great-granddaughter, Swayzii Sebert of Vassar; four siblings, Richard Gettel and his wife, Debbie of Davison, Betty Jean Hiner of Caro, June Patterson of Vassar, Daniel Gettel and his wife, Mary, of Caro; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved English Bulldog, Walter. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by two siblings, infant Gloria Gettel and Doris Nordstrom. In keeping with Larry's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro with Rev. Cameron Steele officiating. A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, July 17, 2020 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro, Compassus Hospice, or the Special Olympics of Tuscola County. Visitation Information Date: Friday, July 17, 2020 Time: 4:00 pm End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map A memorial visitation will be held on Friday July 17, 2020 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Saturday, July 18, 2020 Time: 11:00 am St. Paul Lutheran Church-Caro Address: 503 South State St. Caro, MI 48723 9896732175 | Map A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro with Rev. Cameron Steele officiating.