Mr. Rudolph Petzold

Mr. Rudolph H. (Rudy) Petzold of the Caro, formerly of the Millington, and Vassar Michigan area’s passed away early Saturday evening July 23, 2016 while at the Medilodge (Tendercare) Nursing Home in Frankenmuth, MI. Rudy was 82.

Rudy was born in Millington, Michigan on March 26, 1933 and was the son of Gustav and Helen (Woelslein) Petzold. He grew up in the Millington, and Vassar area’s and after high school went on to college. After college Rudy served our country in the US-Army between WW-II and the Korean war. Upon returning home he became a Police Officer for the East Lansing Police Dept. and also for a time was an officer for the Vassar Police Dept. Rudy’s career in law enforcement was put-on hold when he became editor and publisher, and eventually the owner of the Tuscola County Advertiser.

It was under Rudy’s watchful eye that The Tuscola County Advertiser became known as one of the state’s leading weekly papers. His keen sense as a newsman and his natural ability as a storyteller combined to create a product that was quickly deemed to be among the best in the industry at being both informative and entertaining.

Rudy believed that a community should be reflected through the pages of its newspaper and that was best accomplished by sharing the stories of people from all walks of life. His short time as a police officer guided his conviction that news be factual and free of opinion. He relished the newspaper’s role as government watchdog but demanded fairness and insisted that “truth with charity” be the guiding principle of every story.

Although he owned The Advertiser he considered himself a caretaker, relinquishing ownership to its readers and the community at large. It was with these guiding principles that he mentored countless young writers, sales people, production workers and printers, helping them hone skills that would serve them for decades.

For more than a decade Rudy was a board member of the Michigan Press Association and served as president of the organization in1986. Rudy was avid promoter of local business and industry, as well as education and high school athletics. In 1965 he co-founded Thumb Web Offset Publications, one of the first large scale offset printing operations in the state. He served as a founding board member of Caro’s Downtown Development Authority and was one of the three men who created the Thumb Meet of Champions track meet in 1973.

Rudy was as at ease interviewing President Gerald Ford and actor Will Geer as he was discussing the sugar beet crop with a local farmer. He wrote millions of words and took thousands of photos. In 1972 he penned a 75th anniversary book for his beloved St. Paul Lutheran Church and, after his retirement, he collaborated with world famous porcelain artist and close friend Gladys Galloway to publish Reflections of a Country Publisher.

Rudy leaves his family. A sister; Mrs. Armilda Viola List, a brother and sister in-law; Chester and Shirley Petzold. Rudy leaves also nephews and nieces; Geoffrey, Laurie, Carmen, Jeremy and John, long time caregiver Thomas McIntyre, and many cousins, and other extended family. Besides his parents Rudy is preceded in death by a brother in-law Gilbert List.

The Petzold family will receive friends on Wednesday July 27, 2016 at the Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On Thursday there will be a brief time of visitation at St. Paul Lutheran Church from 10: 00 am until the services begin. Funeral services for Rudy will be held on Thursday July 28, 2016 at 11:00 am at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Millington. Pastor James Bruner will deliver the funeral message and the closing committal prayer at the cemetery. Burial will be at the Millington Twp. Cemetery; Military Honors will be conducted. Memorial gifts of remembrance can be directed to the St. Paul Lutheran Church.

HANLIN FUNERAL HOME

Serving Since 1928