TRAVERSE CITY — David Lee Gatzke, 70, lifelong resident of Traverse City, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010, at Munson Medical Center.David was born the beloved son of Ben and Gladys (Maslowski) Gatzke in Traverse City on Sept. 26, 1940. David grew up in Traverse City where he secured his first job at the age of 10 years old, selling the Record-Eagle along Front Street. He enjoyed helping out both sets of grandparents at their farms in Leelanau County. David loved to bowl and took advantage of northern Michigan hunting and snowmobiling. He worked as a bartender at the family owned Ben's Bar (now known as Mode's Bum Steer) for 25 years and then went on to work for Michigan Bell for more than 20 years.David suffered a stroke in 2001, but never complained about the resulting challenges. David was fortunate enough to have a support group of friends and family, whether it was his weekly dinners at Schelde's, J&S Hamburg, or his "coffee breaks" at Rounds. David was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed life and will be dearly missed.David is survived by his parents, Gladys and Ben Gatzke; his sister, Marie (Dave) LaBonte; nieces and nephews, Lori Van Antwerp, Scott (Kerry) La Bonte and Chad La Bonte; seven great-nieces and -nephews; and many other loving family members and friends.Visitation for friends and family will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Oct. 21, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with a 7 p.m. vigil service.A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at the St. Francis Catholic Church, with the Rev. Kenneth Stachnik officiating.Graveside committal services will be held in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Francis Catholic Church or the Father Fred Foundation. Please share thoughts with the family on David's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.