On August 31, 2024, Timothy “Tim” E. Zietz, of Gladwin, went to his eternal home. He died surrounded by his family at MyMichigan Medical Center–Midland.
Timothy Edward Zietz was born on December 12, 1941, to Edward Leonard Zeitz and Mary Catherine (Reidy) Zeitz, in Detroit, MI.
The Zeitz family, then spelled Zietz, moved to Nickless Road in Gladwin on May 30, 1945. Tim graduated from Gladwin High School in 1960. In 1964 he entered the United States Army where he served until March of 1966. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran where he received an award for M-14 rifle marksman.
Tim came home to marry Barbara Jean Staley, his best friend and love of his life of almost 57 years, on September 23, 1967. He moved one house down from his childhood home and lived there until he died. They had three children: Michelle (Paul) Aultman, Jeffrey (Shannon) Zietz, and Scott (Jessica) Zietz. They had seven grandchildren: Grantland (Breanna) Aultman, Victoria (Joshua) Hoffman, Alexis Zietz, Brody Zietz, Justin Zietz, Kelsee Zietz, and Kylee Zietz. And two great grandchildren: Adelyn Aultman and Roscoe Aultman.
Tim retired from local 47 in 2000 and began a retirement of traveling with his bride, camping in the UP in the summer, and fishing with his family on Drummond Island almost every July. His favorite trip was escaping the long cold Michigan winters and living in their fifth wheel in Florida. Tim will always be remembered for his lighthearted sense of humor and his witty comebacks.
Tim was a wonderful faithful husband to Barb, and he will forever be remembered by his kids as the strongest dad in the world, who could swim across the “hot pond” in Marquette with all three of them on his back, and 5 p.m. dinners every night where they gathered around the dinner table to share about the day with many laughs.
Tim was a man of faith.
He read his Bible daily and he was grateful for his salvation. He loved Jesus and was looking forward to meeting Him. He attended Wagarville Community Church on Sunday mornings, and he tuned in on Sunday evenings to Midland Baptist Church. A family tradition on Christmas Eve was having Dad/Grandpa read the Christmas story from the Bible before presents under the tree. Even in the later years when Tim was sick and coming home from the hospital one Christmas Eve, he pulled over and read the scripture on speakerphone for the kids.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, September 6, 2024, at 11 a.m. from Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home, Gladwin Chapel, with Rev.
Doug Hasse and Pastor James Payne presiding with burial in McClure Cemetery with military honors. Family will greet family and friends on Thursday from 2-8 p.m. at the funeral and on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.
Those wishing an expression of sympathy are asked in lieu of flowers to consider the Wagarville Community Church.