.Traverse City - Gene Martin Keilitz passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2014 with his family by his side. He was born June 3, 1933 in Caro, Michigan to Otto E. and Mildred (Horst) Keilitz. He graduated from Caro High School in 1951 and attended The National College of Chiropractic in Chicago. Knowing he could be drafted, Gene enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Georgia, Alabama and Hawaii. Upon his honorable discharge in 1959, he returned to Michigan and rather than practice chiropractic medicine, Gene entered the field of scientific and educational equipment sales. In the late 1960s, he ventured north to Traverse City and purchased Gustely's Country Place Restaurant on East Bay and changed the name to The Pewter Bell.

As Gene was establishing his business in Traverse City, a high school friend introduced him to Marlene Keihl and her nine year old daughter, Kelli, from Ann Arbor. Gene and Marlene were soon married, bought their first home in Traverse City and the family expanded with the birth of daughter, Kirsten. When Timberlee Ski Hill went into bank receivership, Gene was appointed as General Manager. After Timberlee closed, Gene assisted with the establishment of Chateau Grand Traverse as its first Chief Financial Officer. The family relocated to Frankenmuth in 1977, only to return to their beloved Traverse City in 1979. Gene then continued his career in sales until he was able to turn his long-time volunteerism into a career by being appointed the Executive Director of the United Way of Northwest Michigan. His professional career culminated as the Vice President of United Way of Michigan in Lansing.

Gene retired in 1996 and returned to volunteering in Traverse City. Gene was an active member of the Traverse City Rotary Club for many years. He volunteered at Camp Roy-El and for the Salvation Army, was pivotal in the development of Leadership Grand Traverse and TCAPS Sci-Ma-Tech Academy, travelled to Puerto Rico with Habitat for Humanity, served on the Traverse Bay Regional Planning Commission, and was Chair of the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation Board of Directors. In addition to all his community service, Gene was a dedicated "Grampy" to his only grandchild, Elyse, and an incredibly engaged and supportive father to Kelli and Kirsten.

Gene is predeceased by his mother and father and aunts Ruby, Gwen, Marion, and Donna, and nephews Kim and Kyle Hopper. He is survived by his wife, Marlene and by daughters, Kelli Hannum-Spencer (Jim Spencer) and Kirsten Keilitz, as well as granddaughter, Elyse Spencer, all of Traverse City. Also left to remember Gene are his sisters, Margaret Keilitz and Elaine Thompson of Mt. Dora, Florida and Onalee Hopper of Deford, Michigan, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and aunts Maxine, Norine, Joann, Ethel and uncle Walt.
Per Gene's wishes, cremation has occurred. An open house celebration of Gene's life will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 2:30 p.m. at Hawthorn Cottage, 523 Cottage Arbor Dr. (off Medical Campus Dr.), Traverse City.

Gene's family wishes to thank the staff of Grand Traverse Pavilions Cottages, especially those at Willow Cottage who provided him care and comfort as he transitioned. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation (Arboretum Fund) or Munson Regional Healthcare Foundation (Cowell Cancer Center Fund).

Arrangements for the family have been entrusted to Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.