Dr. William Edward Nettleman, 92 of Coldwater died on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at Maple Lawn Medical Facility.
A memorial service will take place at 6:00 PM on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater with Pastor David Pierce of First Baptist Church of Coldwater officiating. Interment of ashes at the First Presbyterian Church Columbarium will take place at a later date. Visitation will be prior to the service starting at 4:30 PM at the funeral home.
William was born in Toledo, OH on January 1, 1923 to Donald and Dorothy (Dekker) Nettleman. Educated in the Toledo schools, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toledo.
In World War II he served 3 ½ years in the Army Air Force. He was commissioned as a weather officer serving 10 months on Saipan and then in Japan. At the end of the war, he returned to the University of Toledo to complete his senior year and graduate. Because of the GI Bill, he was able to attend medical school at the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 1951.
Bill came to Coldwater in 1952 as an associate of Harold J. Meier, M.D. In 1953 he married Sarah “Sally” Fulton in Toledo. He became an active member in the community. Several years ago he was among those named as Family Physician of the year by the Michigan State Medical Society. He served as Chief of Staff at CHC and later 6 years on the Board of CHC. In 1996 he was chosen as Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. Bill was a Paul Harris member of the Noon Rotary and a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir.
Bill practiced medicine in Coldwater for 33 years, retiring in April, 1985. He and Sally then moved to Vincent Lake where he had a large vegetable garden and was a Master Gardener. Bill enjoyed fishing, woodworking, raising honey bees, and giving talks on nature to schools and clubs in Michigan and Arizona.
Dr. Nettleman is survived by his wife of 62 years Sally Nettleman of Coldwater; his children Robert H. (Kathy) Nettleman, M.D. of Frankenmuth, MI, Mary Nettleman, M.D. (Scott Maxwell) of Sioux Falls SD; James F. (Cheryl) Nettleman of Lafayette, IN, and David T. Nettleman of Plymouth, MI; his grandchildren Michael Nettleman, Elizabeth (Ben) Potter, Amanda (Andy) Bausack, Joe (Ashley) Nettleman, M.D., Matthew (Christina) Nettleman, D.O., and Thomas Maxwell; his great grandchildren Leroy Bausack, William Potter, and Olivia Potter. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Donald Nettleman, Jr. and his sister Doris Nettleman Stifel.
Memorials may be directed to the CHC Foundation or First Presbyterian Church. www.dutcherfh.com