INTERLOCHEN — Walter S. Zerbel, 73, of Interlochen, left behind his struggles with cancer as his wife Janet, and sons, Andrew and Jay, ushered him gently, lovingly, to a place of peace. Walter grew up in Marquette, graduating from Northern Michigan University and Grand Valley State. He was a teacher of mathematics in Van Dyke Public Schools in Warren for 30 years. Later, he achieved his dream of spending winters in Arizona. During the other seasons, Interlochen Center for the Arts was the place closest to his heart, having been a high school camper there himself. Jay and Jennifer (Jachman) gave Walter his first two grandchildren, Zane, 11, and Ruie, 9. Andrew and Shawn (Andary) added Drew, 6, and Nicholas, 3, to the family of which he was so very proud. Besides his wife, children and grandchildren, Walter is survived by his special sister, Betty Pascoe of Longmont, Colo. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Emily Zerbel; and his brother, Bill Zerbel. A memorial service for Walter will be held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at 1 p.m.Memorial contributions can be made out to Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse or to a cancer research of your choice. Please sign Walter's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.