SUTTON’S BAY — The Traverse City man who drove drunk and killed a volunteer lighthouse keeper last September will serve at least six years in prison.
Dozens of people traveled across the country Monday to witness the sentencing of the 71-year-old Kenneth Edward Marotzke, who was ordered to serve six to 15 years in prison for causing the death of Ronald Leo Bellman, 61, from Ohio.
Marotzke also received an 18-month-to-five-year-sentence for causing serious injury to his wife, one of the three passengers in Bellman’s car.
Judge Kevin Elsenheimer said the two sentences would be served concurrently but, given Marotzke’s age, “this has the real potential, of course, to result in a life sentence.”
Marotzke pleaded no contest on Jan. 5 to one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death and one count of operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor causing serious injury.
An additional count of operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor causing serious injury and one count of having open alcohol containers in his car were dismissed as part of a plea bargain.
The crash occurred just before 11:30 a.m. Sept. 10, 2025, on M-22 in Leelanau County, a dangerous stretch because of limited visibility, speed and the number of tourists who travel there, the judge said.
When Marotzke attempted to pass a car in front of him in a no-passing zone, his truck was an “8,000-pound bullet,” Elsenheimer said.
Marotzke admitted he had been drinking that morning after visiting the grave of his oldest stepson.
“The irony is not lost on anyone in this room,” the judge said.
Marotzke claimed that he had two beers, but Elsenheimer said that, with a blood alcohol content of 0.226 just after the crash at Munson Medical Center and 0.157 when measured by the Michigan State Police, it was likely that “your nose was in the whiskey,” a reference to an open bottle of whiskey found in Marotzke’s truck after the crash.
Elsenheimer said he decided on the sentence after hearing from five of Bellman’s family members and receiving “dozens and dozens” of letters, one of which stuck with the judge for calling Bellman “our family’s redwood.”
People in the courtroom came from Georgia, California, Tennessee and Nebraska to honor the victim and offer support to his family.
Bellman’s family described Ronald as a loving husband and attentive father. His 90-year-old mother testified via recorded video in which she wept and said repeatedly how much she missed her son.
Mary Bellman, who sustained multiple broken bones and internal injuries in the crash, shared the story of their marriage and the raising of their three boys.
She and Bellman were in the area serving as volunteer lighthouse keepers at Mission Point Lighthouse on Old Mission Peninsula, something Ronald had been excited about doing for years.
“Ron was a great man, and I still can’t even believe I’m saying ‘was,’” she said. “He will always be a great man, in spite of his life being cut short at age 61. He had so much more life to live.”
Her husband was a dreamer, positive, romantic, wise, quick-witted and a physical therapist who loved his job, she said.
“We are, on behalf of all of those in northern Michigan, so, so sorry for what happened to you and your family and your husband,” Elsenheimer told her.
Two of Ronald’s sons also spoke and described him as their “best friend.” They painted a picture of a man who made time for each of them, their interests and maintained a presence and support in their lives.
Daniel Bellman, the middle son, said that among his father’s belongings were letters he wrote in school.
“I found one from the first grade saying that he (Ronald) ‘was my best friend.’ Eight years later, I wrote that ‘I’m in eighth grade now, and my dad is still my best friend,’” he said.
Patrick Bellman, the eldest son, said the crash shattered his life and peace of mind. He credited his father’s “split-second decision” to swerve and “take the brunt” of the impact as the reason for his mother’s survival.
Remo Loreto, Bellman’s brother-in-law, spoke on behalf of the 30 or so people in the courtroom as well as those unable to attend, he said.
“It has damaged this family almost beyond words,” he told Elsenheimer. “But I can tell you, these are resilient people.”
All of the witnesses who spoke and Chief Assistant Leelanau County Prosecutor Daniel Short asked Elsenheimer to give Marotzke the maximum sentence.
Patrick Fragel, Marotzke’s defense attorney, asked for 24 to 36 months. He said that this shorter sentence would send a “message of deterrence,” give consideration for Marotzke’s age and offer an opportunity for rehabilitation.
Fragel pointed to Marotzke’s lack of criminal record and his lifetime of work in the community as a teacher, firefighter and volunteer.
“We would ask the court to give a balanced sentence, one that does open the door for rehabilitation and consider the circumstances that he has lived and he will have to face in the future,” Fragel said.
Marotzke, who spoke after listening to the witnesses speak, said that throughout his life he had endeavored “to help people, not hurt them, but on Sept. 10, 2025, that certainly changed.”
“If I could only take back that day … but I cannot,” he said. “I have been continually praying for the Bellman family, their relatives and friends, as I alone have brought pain and suffering to innocent individuals.”
Marotzke said he brought shame and grief to his family and that he was “sincerely sorry and I truthfully wish that I were the only one who perished” in the crash.
“What a shame,” Elsenheimer said. “What a shame that these two parties came into contact with each other.”