Michael David Hertler, 29, of Traverse City, passed away on September 3, 2017. Michael was born on August 13, 1988 at Munson Hospital in Traverse City to Timothy (Tim) and Lynne Hertler.
From an early age, Michael was kind-hearted, curious, and energetic, to say the least. He spent his childhood climbing anything and everything, taking apart and putting back together gadgets, and spending time in the Northern Michigan outdoors with his family and friends. Michael loved to go fast – whether by doing backflips while snowboarding, racing snowmobiles, or taking his truck for a ride.
At Traverse City Central High School, Michael was a talented runner, racing for the Trojans on both the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Upon graduation, he spent time studying construction management at both Northwestern Michigan College and up in Marquette at Northern Michigan University. In Marquette, he spent his free time hiking and exploring with his friends and beloved black lab, Mona.
Michael was extremely talented and creative when it came to building and design. He worked alongside his father at Hertler Construction and Restoration for many years, helping with special woodworking projects, fixing anything that needed his special care and attention, and bringing beauty to the homes and businesses of Northern Michigan.
Michael will be dearly missed by his parents, Tim and Lynne Hertler; his sister, Kate Hertler; his brother, Jason Whittaker, his sister-in-law and nephew Arianne and Tyler Whittaker; his uncles, Michael LaVire, Jeff LaVire, David Hertler, and Jon Uffelman; his aunt Amanda Uffelman; his cousins, Erica and Donny LaVire, and Caroline, Sara, Leigh, and Cort Uffelman; his grandmothers Martha LaVire and Fran Mills; his loving girlfriend Emily Kinney; and his black lab Mona, with whom he was inseparable.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Michael's name may be made to Addiction Treatment Services in Traverse City. Michael's family also kindly asks that the Northern Michigan community be more open to learning about the addiction issues that are prevalent in our area, as it is through education and compassion that we can all begin to heal those amongst us who are struggling.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 8 from 4-7PM at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A celebration of Michael's life will be held on Saturday, September 9, at 4PM at Mt. Holiday. Friends are welcome to begin arriving at 3PM to share stories and memories of Michael's life. We invite you on Saturday to please wear anything but black, as that is what Michael would have wanted.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Michael's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .
The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.