Thomas F. Zehner, 84, of LaPorte, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, at his home.
He was born May 28, 1925, in Bruce, Wis., the son of Benjamin F. and
Euphemia (Coey) Zehner, who preceded him in death.
On Feb. 1, 1947, in Baltimore, Md., he married Catherine (Seitz) Zehner, who
survives.
He is also survived by five daughters, Judy (Glenn) Sconce of LaPorte, Linda
(James) Freels of Mission, Texas, Myra (Michael) Lalic of Crown Point, Kay
(Tom) Harper of Port Orange, Fla., and Janet (Mark) Robbins of Buckeye,
Ariz.; a sister, Kay Johnson of California; a brother, Carl Zehner of Idaho;
seven grandchildren, Jimmy (Anita), Robyn, Terri (Philip), Wendy, Lisa,
Eric, and Geoffrey; and three great-grandchildren, Emily, Bryce, and Evan.
He was preceded in death by a brother, George.
Mr. Zehner served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, in Okinawa and in
Normandy on D-Day, and was proud to have witnessed the raising of the flag
at Iwo Jima and to have served aboard the USS Texas and USS Nevada. For 10
years he volunteered at the Great Lakes Museum of Military History in
Michigan City. He worked at J.L. Manta Company in Chicago for 25 years,
retiring in 1987, was a member of Local 460, and belonged to American Legion
Post 451.
A memorial mass is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at St. Mary
Catholic Church in Otis. Cremation has taken place. Lakeview Funeral Home
and Crematory in LaPorte is caring for arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Great Lakes Museum of Military History, 360
Dunes Plaza, Michigan City, IN 46360.
Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.lakeviewFHC.com