Claude Frank Fettig

Claude Frank Fettig, 89, died February 6, 2017 at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital.

Claude was born on March 30, 1927 in Petoskey, Michigan, the son of Frank and Francis (Sobleski) Fettig; he was one of 12 children in the family. Claude remained a life-long resident of Petoskey and member of St. Francis Xavier Church.

On November 13, 1948, Claude married Mary Helen Luebke. Together, they started a family and had seven children of their own. Mary passed away on December 22, 1999.

Landscaping was Claude’s passion. He worked for Gene and Olive Hoffman until starting his own business in 1954. Two years before retirement, Claude’s son, Tim, started working for the family business and eventually took over most of the daily operations. After retirement, his daughter, Sharon, worked with him for 10 years, along with sons, Gary and Scott.

Claude was an animal lover. Many years ago, Claude, found a dog at the Old Hill Top School House, which is now the Danial’s Homestead. He kept the lost dog and named him “Rover”. He ended up being the best cow dog and a great family dog. Since then, Claude named every dog he ever had Rover.

Claude was a determined man. One time, Claude and his brother, Gerald, found a walnut tree in a swamp, then pulled the tree out using a tractor and on the way home it dropped into the road and broke in half. Everyone told Claude the tree would die but he planted it anyway and it grows tall and strong in the backyard to this day.

He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Claude is survived by his children, Gary (Mary) Fettig, Kathy (Al) Cowan, Sharon (Cal Gouine) Fettig, Tim (Tami) Fettig, Lori (Mark) Tomlanovich, Scott (Genene) Fettig, and Sandy (Jim) Coats; many grandchildren; great grandchildren; great great grandchildren; and siblings, Eugene (Katherine) Fettig, Marlene Zokas, Tom (Carole) Fettig, Mary Green, Dave (Roxanne) Fettig, Dick (Charlene) Fettig, Norbert (Pat) Fetttig and Bobbie Fettig.

Claude was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; and siblings, Gerald Fettig, Joanne Cornell and Gertrude Strobel.

There will be a Rosary service at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Thursday, February 9, at 9:15 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. The Mass will be officiated by Claude’s grandson, Father Matthew Cowan.

In lieu of flowers, the Fettig family is asking memorial donations be directed to the Diocese of Gaylord Seminarian Education Fund (611 West Nth Street, Gaylord, MI 49735) and Brother Dan’s Food Pantry.

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