Frederick "Fred" Peter Foltz

Frederick Peter Foltz, 91, of Petoskey, passed away peacefully on February 16th, 2018 surrounded by his loving family.

Fred was born Oct. 4, 1926, in Petoskey, the son of Frederick and Freda (Radloff) Foltz and was raised on the family farm in Resort Township. He attended the one-room school house on Townsend Road in Resort Township.

On November 27, 1948 he and Arlene Fettig were married in Petoskey at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church by the Rev. Hugolinus Kiener; recently celebrating their 69th wedding anniversary.

Fred was a successful businessman as a dairy farmer and real estate developer.  He embodied the words successful people are made, not born…no one fails in life, they just stop trying.  If you want success, set clear goals and develop all of the necessary means – Faith, Enthusiasm, Dedication and Drive.  He put these means into positive actions and achieved success. His faith and heart were bigger than his hands as we all know. He was a people person and never met a stranger.

Fred’s dedication to community service was extensive, he gave his time and resources to the following area organizations and boards; he was a Trustee and lifetime member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, a member of St. Francis Xavier School Board, FFA Board and advisor member, Member and director of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, Farm Bureau Member, 4-H Leader & Mentor, Resort Township trustee, Member of the Walloon Lake Association, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee Member, Resort-Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 4th degree Knights of Columbus, Director of Great Lakes Energy, and Director of Wolverine Power Supply.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene, children, Mike (Kelley) Foltz of Palo Pinto, TX; Janet Foltz of Petoskey; Shirley (Allen) Redman of Bath, MI; Jody (Dan) Lightfoot of Petoskey; and Amy (Victor) Beck of Petoskey, and sister Irene Ravias of Lexington, MA; 20 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Tom Foltz (Sue) of Petoskey, daughter, Connie Whitehead of Iron Mountain, his brothers, Wilbert Foltz and wife Madeline, Howard Foltz and wife Dorotha; Clarence and wife Louise; his brother-in-law, Paul Rivais; his sisters, Edna Fallon and husband William, Edith Kage and husband Robert; and by his parents, Fred and Freda Foltz.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bother Dan’s Pantry or St. Francis Xavier School Fund.

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