Howard T. Ziel

Howard T. Ziel, aged 95, of Grand Rapids, passed away Monday, May 29, 2006 at his residence. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lois M. (Vander Ploeg) Ziel and two sons, Thomas E. and Barbara Ziel of Las Vegas, NV and J. Stephen and Ann Ziel of Rockford, MI; five grandchildren, Bret (Vicki), Douglas, Jon (Jennifer), Troy Ziel and Kamarah (Ryan) Sietsma. Also surviving are four great grandchildren and a special nephew and niece, David and Barbara VanderBroek of Atlanta, GA. Howard was a life member of Central Reformed Church, being a member of the Greater Consistory. He was a longtime member of the Downtown Rotary Club and had served on the board of the Better Business Bureau. He was a member of the Masonic York Lodge, Scottish Rite, and Saladin Shrine and Shrine Chanters. He was a deputy in the District Court Clerk's office for 22 years until 1957 when he was sworn in as Clerk of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan where he served until his retirement in 1972. He was loved and respected by everyone that knew him. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Central Reformed Church, 10 College, N.E. with his pastors the Rev. Louis Lotz and the Rev. Carl Shroeder officiating. Burial will be in Rest Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Metcalf and Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Memorial Contributions to either Central Reformed Church or the Saladin Shrine Foundation For Children would be appreciated. The family is being served by