MARC G. HETTIG

Marc G. Hettig, born May 7, 1957, in Coloma, Michigan, passed away on August 8, 2026.

The son of the late Garold R. Hettig and Mary Alyce (Wooley) Hettig, Mark graduated from Coloma High School in 1975. He attended Kalamazoo College and later Western Michigan University, graduating with teaching degrees for secondary education in the sciences including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and sex education.

For 34 years, Marc taught at Hartford High School until his retirement. He also taught at Michigan State University’s “Exploration Day.”

On Oct. 21, 1989, he married the love of his life, Denise Rae (Pierce). He lived on the family farm on Park Road in Coloma for the rest of his life.

He was immensely proud of his two sons: Caleb Daniel (Jacy) Hettig and Lucas Karl (Dakota) Hettig and three grandchildren: Abigail Grace, John Patrick, and Tristan Randall, all of whom survive him.

Marc had many interests, including discussing books — especially history — with his sister, Rebecca Freehling.

Marc’s life-long passion was hunting and fishing. As a high school student, he served as first mate on his good friend Casey Clark’s Lake Michigan salmon boat. He enjoyed hunting pheasants and often guided other hunters. He also helped his cousin, George Daniels start up a put/take pheasant club in Michigan.

During hunting season, it was commonplace to see Marc in a truck or a boat crammed with two dogs and a bunch of kids. He loved teaching the next generation of hunters.

Pheasant hunting got Marc into gun dogs and gun dog training. He and Denise started Whistler Farm, their own registered kennel, where he trained hundreds of dogs for many different jobs. Whistler Farm trained and produced the UKC’s first Dual Labrador Champion and Michigan’s second ever Champion Hunter Retriever, along with many other championship dogs. For many years, Marc was “the Goose Guy,” using his dogs to keep the geese off the grounds of Lake Michigan College.

Marc helped Denise open and run a horse boarding business out of their 100+ year-old barn. They were famous for training wild American Mustangs to drive, ride, and excel in various types of competitions.

Marc served on the Coloma Township Planning Commission. He also served on the Board of Directors for the North Berrien Historical Museum.

In addition to his spouse, children, and grandchildren, Marc is survived by his sister, Rebecca, his nieces Olivia D. Freehling and April Ann Freehling, and his great-niece Calista Currier.

In keeping with Marc’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the home farm, 2873 Park Road, Coloma, MI 49038. Interment of ashes will be in Coloma Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Marc’s memory may be made to Future Farmers of American, www.ffa.org.