John W. Zettler

John W. Zettler, age 87 of Sandy Springs, GA and formerly of Simpsonville, SC and Northport, NY died Tuesday, September 25, 2012.  He was born in New York City on April 22, 1925 to John and Catherine Zettler.  He learned his hard work from his role models, his parents during the depression. John had five passions: his family, the Navy, his business, traveling, and his golf game.  He served in World War II as a Seabee in the South Pacific.  He continued in the Naval Reserves for over 30 years retiring at the rank of Commander. After returning from the war in 1948 he married Norma Fehse with whom he has been  married  to for 64+ years.  He attended Adelphi University in NY City after which he began his career in the men’s apparel industry with Crown Textiles.  His career in mens’ apparel led him to several different companies eventually leading him to Greenville South Carolina where he started Zettler Sales Corporation.  He ran Zettler Sales with the same passion as he served in the Navy Reserves.  His hard work, commitment to customer service and creativity helped him become very successful in the business. John and Norma loved to travel and travelled to all parts of the world.  He made his last trip a cruise to Japan to see the many WWII sights he had always heard about, making many friends who were relatives of or survivors of the war. He began his lifelong love of golf when Norma bought him a set of clubs after a beanball shortened his baseball career. He was always ready to tee it up.  His knack for scrambling from trouble on the course gave him great joy and frustrated many of his playing partners.  Though golf provided his great joy, it was no more joy than that provided by his three children and six grandchildren who survive him.  He is survived by his wife, Norma Zettler, daughter Jean of Falls Church, VA, daughter Ellen Hillegass and favorite son-in law Daniel of Sandy Springs GA, and son John and daughter in law Marcy from Vienna VA.  He is also survived by six grandchildren: Patrick and Christi Hillegass of Atlanta, Jamie Hillegass of Boston, MA, John L. Zettler of New York and Katie and Carrie Zettler of Vienna VA, two nephews John G Zettler and Andrew Zettler and their families, as well as his two favorite grand-dogs Sparky and Bear of Atlanta and great grand dog Gus of Boston, MA.  The family also wishes to thank all the caregivers and therapists who helped him throughout his last years. A memorial service will be held at 11 am Saturday, September 29, 2012 at H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill, 4550 Peachtree Road, NE.  A second memorial service will be held in a few months at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC where his remains will be kept. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Seabee Historical Foundation (www.seabeehf.org), or the National WWII Museum in New Orleans or The Wounded Warriers (woundedwarrierproject.org)