Robert Zolman
Robert Zolman, 90, a former resident of Churubusco, passed away at 4:35 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2016, at the Presence Sacred Heart Home, Avilla. He had been a resident there since 2009 and had been in declining health for the past six months.
Mr. Zolman was born on Aug. 20, 1925, in Eel River Township, a son of Garra H. and Grace B. (Rosenogle) Zolman. He spent his formative years on the family farm north of Churubusco and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1943. As a young man he served with the U.S. Navy during World War II, and was married in Churubusco on Oct. 6, 1946, to Phylis M. Leitch. The couple lived the early years of their marriage in Churubusco, spent seven years in Dallas, Texas, and returned to Churubusco in 1988.
Employed as a die sinker with International Harvester in Fort Wayne, he retired from there in 1981 after 31 years. Following his retirement there he continued to work as a die sinker for several other companies, retiring in 1989. He also had served as vice president of the International Die Sinkers Union.
He will long be remembered for his work as an artist with stained glass, and in his leisure time enjoyed fishing and gardening. He was a die hard New York Yankees fan, and participated in a veteran’s Honor Flight in 2014. Most especially he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to many.
Mrs. Zolman preceded him in death on April 20, 2015.
The surviving relatives include his children: Sherry (Ronald) Johnson; and Randy (Diane) Zolman, both of Churubusco; his grandchildren: Tim (Janelle) Johnson; and Melissa (Roy) Stuckey, both of Churubusco; Amy (Matt) Weyer, Ferdinand; and Andrew Zolman, Fort Lewis, Wash.; and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers: Charles Zolman; Cline C. Zolman; and Dale Zolman.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at the Sheets and Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco, with Pastor Nikki Marker officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, or one hour prior to the service Wednesday afternoon.
Interment with military graveside rites will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.
Charitable donations may be made to Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana, Huntertown.