Geoffrey Rettig

1964 - 2024

Geoffrey Rettig
Geoffrey K. Rettig, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, 59, of Midland, passed away April 5, 2024, surrounded by his family. Geoffrey was born on October 27, 1964, in Garden City, Michigan, the son of Rollin Henry Rettig and Ina Fay (Miller) Rettig. A graduate of Livonia Franklin High School, he received his BS in Political Science/Public Law from Western Michigan University. He earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Wayne State University Law School in Detroit in 1989. On May 8, 1993, Geoff married Sheila A. Konwinski, and celebrated nearly 31 years of marriage.
Geoff resided in Midland for 33 years with the loves of his life, his wife Sheila, and his two treasured sons, Andrew R. and John C. Rettig. Geoff will be remembered and missed by them every day.
Geoff is also survived by his father, Rollin (Ron) H. Rettig, siblings Philip E.
(Anne) Rettig, David G. Rettig, and Jennifer M. Rettig, nieces and nephews Meaghan, Stephen (Ashley), Allison, Eric, Julia, Miller, Camden, and Jack, and in-laws Joyce, Michelle, Anthony, and Gregory Konwinski, lifelong friend James Quinn, close friends, and colleagues.
Geoff is preceded in death by his mother, Ina F. Rettig, brother, Michael R. Rettig, and father-in-law, Anthony W. Konwinski.
Besides being a dedicated husband and father, and a great friend to many, Geoff was an excellent attorney and a courageous prosecutor. He served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Presque Isle County for a few years and then as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Midland County for 10 years. In 1995 he was named Prosecutor of the Year by the Michigan Family Support Council. He then joined the Law Offices of Joseph T. Barberi in Mt. Pleasant representing individuals in civil and criminal matters. During his tenure, he gathered wide respect as an excellent litigator and vigorous advocate for his clients. Geoff returned to prosecution in 2015 when he was appointed Chief Assistant Prosecutor in Midland County handling all facets of criminal prosecution, as well as serving as a great mentor and teacher for younger prosecutors. Geoff served on Midland Kids First Board of Directors, the Safe and Sound Child Advocacy Center Case Review Team, and on an Attorney Grievance Commission Hearing Panel, a Quasi-Judicial tribunal that helps hold lawyers to the highest standards of ethical conduct. He was a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Midland County Bar Association, and the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAAM). In February, 2024, Geoff was awarded a 20-year service award from PAAM.
Geoff also served as a faculty member for the Prosecuting Attorney's Coordinating Council and the Prosecuting Attorney Association on numerous occasions as well as a presenter for the Michigan Family Support Council. He previously served as a Board Member of the Michigan Family Support Council and allocation committee member for Midland County United Way. Geoff was also previously a member of the Mount Pleasant Lions Club and served as an adjunct faculty member at Delta College instructing in legal research and writing and family law.
Geoffrey will be most fondly remembered and missed for his lively and humorous personality, sharp wit, and positive, calming presence. While Geoff was a fierce advocate for justice, he was fun, kind, compassionate, and warm with many friendships in Midland and Mt. Pleasant. Above all, Geoff valued spending time with his wife and sons. He enjoyed planning and cooking meals for his family while sharing a good laugh. History, books, sports, music, vintage comics, as well as any legal topic were his other interests. Geoff was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Parish and an enthusiastic supporter of local youth sports, including Midland Public Schools athletics, Fraternal Northwest Little League, where he served as a coach for a few years, and the Midland Area Youth Football League.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on April 17, 2024 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Father Rob Howe officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00pm – 6:30pm on April 16, 2024 at Smith-Miner Funeral Home and from 10:00am until time of service at the church the next morning. There will also be a sharing of memories from 6:30pm – 7:00pm at the funeral home on Tuesday evening following the visitation.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in honor of
Geoffrey are asked to consider Cancer Services of Midland, 4201 Campus Ridge Drive, Midland, MI 48670, https://cancerservicesmidland.charityproud.org/Donate or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, P.O. Box 414238, Boston, MA
02241-4238, https://themmrf.org/ - click donate in the top right-hand corner.
Smith-Miner Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Rettig family; to share a special memory please visit www.smithminer.com.