Vernon L. Zenci, Sr., of Portage, passed away May 26, 2007. He was 88. He was born March 20, 1919 in Gary.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy A. (Mahns).

He is also survived by a daughter, Linda (Steve) Handlon of Chesterton, a son, Vernon (Rita) L. Zenci, Jr. of Delaware; grandchildren, Tricia (Nick) Tilden, Pvt. John Woynaroski, Michael Zenci, Diane (Jeremy) Cross and James Zenci; great-grandchildren, Sam, Marissa, Jack and Nick Tilden Jr.; sisters, Betty (Wesley) Demko of Fla., Lawaine (Leon) Kora of Portage and Arlene (James) Nevroske of North Judson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Dorothy (Wilbur) Root, a brother, Gerald (Martha) Zenci and a son, Robert L. Zenci.

Vernon was raised in Gary and graduated from Horace Mann High School in 1938. He worked as a mechanic and shop foreman for Heater Motors, a Studebaker dealership until the start of WWII. Unable to serve in the military, he longed to do something to help the war effort. And so, he left his job to work on merchant marine boats and other Naval vessels at the shipyard in Detroit. When the war was over, he returned to Gary and went to work at U.S. Steel.

Vernon and his family lived in Michigan City in their early years and in Chesterton until his retirement. He retired in 1975, after 32 years of service to U.S. Steel, while working as an electrician and general foreman in the billet mill. He and Dorothy moved to Auburndale, Fla., for the next 12 years, finally settling in Portage for the remainder of his life. Vernon enjoyed playing softball for the billet mill team, winning the Gary City Championship.

A celebration of Vernon’s life, Rev. Calvin Hawkins officiating, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 31 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 6941 Central Ave., Portage.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Posted 5/29/2007