Hugh C. Zeits

Hugh C. Zeits
Died November 22, 2023
ELMWOOD TWP – Hugh Charles Zeits, 82, of Elmwood Township, passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at home.
Hugh was born May 10, 1941 in Lake Leelanau, Michigan, the eldest son of Charles A. and Dorothy P. (Gauthier) Zeits. Hugh grew up in Leelanau County and attended St. Mary Catholic School in Lake Leelanau through the 8th grade.
Hugh joined the US Navy in 1961 and proudly served as a boatswain mate on the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge until his discharge in 1964. He returned to the Traverse City area where he was employed as a window washer. It was at one of his jobs that he met his future wife, Jean McManus. Hugh and Jean married at the First Congregational Church of Traverse City on May 14, 1966. Together they raised two sons, Todd and Tony.
After they were married, Hugh was employed at the State Hospital in Traverse City as an attendant nurse. When it closed, he continued working at the Newberry, MI facility before retiring with 25 years under his belt. During a few of those years working for the state, he, Jean and the boys also operated a fishing charter out of West Bay, Frankfort and Leland.
Hugh enjoyed watching all kinds of racing, camping and building and fixings things. He and Jean converted an old school bus into an RV and took it to car races and camped all over the country. They instilled a love for camping in their boys. In later years he and Jean wintered in Arizona and Florida making new friends along the way. Hugh taught his sons things like how to repair cars and build go-carts, for example, and equipped them with the tools and equipment they would need to do so.
Hugh is survived by his sons, Todd (Kathy) Zeits and Tony Zeits (Rebecca Eaton), granddaughters, Ashley Zeits (Hannah Simerson) and Katelyn Zeits, brother, Charles Zeits II, several nephews, nieces, dear cousins and long-time friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Jean, his parents, Charlie and Dorothy Zeits, and his brother Arnie.
Cremation has taken place. Details for a service will be published at a later date.
Please share condolences with Hugh's family at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremations Services of Leelanau.
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