Craig A. Hiltz

Hiltz, Craig A. Montague Craig Alan Hiltz, 45, our beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, was unexpectedly taken from us on Sunday, September 5, 2021. Craig was born in Muskegon, MI on March 10, 1976 and lived in Whitehall, graduating from Whitehall High School in 1994. He grew up on Carefree Street and that set the tone for how he lived his life; carefree. Craig's attitude about life was to put others first. His caring heart, generous attitude and fun-loving personality laid the foundation for years of lifelong friendships. It didn't matter what you needed, Craig would be there to help you celebrate, mourn, fix things, build something or to just listen and offer a shoulder to cry on or smile to laugh with. His ability to continually see the good in people was paired with an incredible talent of bringing out the best in everyone he met. Craig lived the motto of the Class of 1994 - I will not follow where the path may lead, but will go where there is no path and leave a trail. Throughout his life, his trail was full of adventurous twists and turns filled with family and friends doing his favorite activities like fishing, hunting, hiking, golfing, watching football, traveling, jumping off the pier a time or two and visiting with friends. These times and people defined who he was and how he spent his time. His smile and energy would light up any room and he was always the encourager routinely saying, 'feel what you feel, but don't let it sink you.' It is that attitude he would want us to embrace today. The little reminders that cause tears today will turn into little reminders that make us sad and then those little reminders will eventually make us smile and remember Craig just as he would have wanted us to-with love, a grin and maybe a cold one. Left to cherish the memories of Craig are his parents, Chuck and Janice Hiltz; his grandmother, Marva Marshall of Muskegon; his brothers Chuck (Claire) Hiltz of White Lake Township, Chris (Kristi) Hiltz of Ludington; nieces and nephews Lesleigh, Ethan, Mason, and Rachel; and his beloved best friend and travel partner, Kate Feuerstein. In lieu of flowers, please honor Craig and his late grandmother, Betty Hiltz, with a donation to the Muskegon Rescue Mission (https://muskegonmission.org/). A MEMORIAL SERVICE for Craig will be held at 12:00 PM Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Evangelical Covenant Church of Whitehall (900 Warner St, Whitehall, MI 49461). VISITATION with his family will be two hours prior to his service. Arrangements by The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442.