David Alfred Nettle

David Alfred Nettle, age 88, a long-time resident of Houghton Lake and Merritt, died Saturday, October 5, 2024 with family by his side.
David, the third of five boys, was born March 15, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan to Thomas and Amber (Johnson) Nettle.
David was a graduate of Gross Pointe High School. He lived in the greater Detroit area; working several different jobs and holding positions at several companies until the late 1960s, when he moved to Houghton Lake to help his parents run a small motel.
He married Sara Ann Mead on August 12, 1972, in St. Ignace, Michigan.
David obtained his Associate Degree from Kirtland Community College and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration (Accounting) from Central Michigan University. After graduation, David and his brother owned and operated a bar in Detroit for several years before returning to Houghton Lake to assume ownership of the Sea Breeze Motel from his parents.
Dave and Sara operated the motel and he opened Northern Accounting and Bookkeeping doing accounting services for local businesses and income tax return preparation for individuals.
Ultimately, they transferred the motel into an office plaza and David became a full-time personal income tax accountant. Dave and Sara moved to Merritt in 1987.
Dave was an active member of the Houghton-Higgins Lake Elks Lodge #1982, Houghton Lake Eagles #3201, Houghton Lake Moose Lodge #1616, and Houghton Lake Lions Club.
During retirement, he became active in the Merritt-Butterfield United Methodist Church, the Merritt Golden Agers, Free Methodist Church of Lake City, and the Houghton Lake Center for the Roscommon County Commission on Aging.
David loved spending time with family and friends, listening to music, reading the paper, and watching television. He enjoyed golfing with friends, playing cards with family, and watching the wildlife on the back deck of his home in Merritt or by the water in front of the family cabin on St. Martins Bay in Hessel, MI. His passion was telling his life stories to anyone who would listen.
He is survived by his son and daughter in law, Ed and Dani and grandson, Clayton of Merritt, son and girlfriend, Arthur and Greta in Coventry, Rhode Island, brother, Gordon in Iowa, brother, Dennis of Macomb Township and brother, Tom in North Carolina.
David was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Sara in 2020, and his brother, Norman of Livonia.
A memorial service honoring David's life will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Merritt-Butterfield United Methodist Church in Merritt with Reverend J. Albert Barchue and Pastor Jeff Shrock officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.
The family is being served by the Young-Holdship Funeral Home in Lake City. Words of comfort and memories may be shared on www.holdshipfuneralhomes.com.
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