Herbert Bradley Ketzler

Reno, NV/ Munising, MI

Herbert Bradley Ketzler passed away peacefully at the home he shared with his current wife Linda King Ketzler on Tuesday, November 24th.  His passing was the result of Cerebrovascular Disease which presented itself late in May of 2015.

He is survived by his children Mike, father of Ashley (Charboneau) and Andy (Lancour) Ketzler, and Lynn Marie, mother of Emma and Tyler Kremers.  He was married to Georgia England Ketzler for 50 years until her passing in 2009. His oldest brother David passed in July of 2015. Peter, Mike, and Martha Ketzler are his remaining siblings. He has many nieces and nephews who loved him.

He was born in Flint, Michigan April 21, 1936 to Dorothy and L. Curtis Ketzler.  Being raised in a rural area on a dairy farm and nursery he grew up loving the outdoors and initially wanted to become part of the forest service after high school.

During high school he was very active in football and other extracurricular activities.

After graduating from Swartz Creek High School in 1954 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served for five years.

After the Marine Corps his natural instinct was to continue to serve by applying to the Michigan State Troopers.  He graduated from recruit school in 1962 and was assigned to the Jackson post.

He was then transferred to the Munising Post and served the remainder of his 23 years where he received several awards and recognition for his work with the community including the Citizen of the Year award in 1972 by the Governor.  He served as the 11th President of the Michigan State Troopers Association. He was also very active in The Marine Corp League and Moose Lodge.

Upon retirement he and Georgia moved to Reno, Nevada.  He did not fully retire though.  He worked in several areas including casino security, transportation, and tour guiding.  He fell in love with the area and enjoyed being a guide so he could share his knowledge of “The Great Basin” with others.

He also became a competitive race walker and runner and won countless awards.

The most important thing about my father was that he was a chameleon.  He could be compassionate, stern, selfless, resourceful, and deeply committed all dependent on the given situation.  I believe that his best characteristic was his sense of humor.  He brought something different to each life he touched depending on their needs.

He went too quickly and too soon and we were lucky to have him in our lives.   His ashes have been spread in Virginia City, Nevada.  A place that he spent a lot of time researching and hosting people on tours.  Fortunately he lives on in our hearts and minds.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June, 30, 2016 at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising, MI from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m.  At 3:00 the Michigan State Police Honor Guard and the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard will conduct Herb’s memorial service.  In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial in Herb’s name be made to the Alger County Marine Corps League.