John Phillip Zehnder's Obituary
John Phillip Zehnder (age 76), born in Canton, OH to his parents, Helen and Paul E. Zehnder, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother, James Zehnder (Margaret) of Tampa, FL; original wife, Gael Gabrielle Jarrett, who is the mother of their four loving children, Keli (Julie), Heidi, Kirk (Bridget), and Meghan McMahon (Robert), and grandchildren Claire, Audrey, Soren and Elsa, Baxter and George, Casper and Thea, and Ryan and Quinn. He is also survived by his dear friend since 1956, Charles Eissfeldt, as well as his second former wife, Martha Stroebel, and stepson Joe Lonsway (Stacie) and their children Zach and Alyssa. John was a graduate of Lutheran High School, Cleveland (1956), Concordia River Forest, Chicago (1960), and in 1963, received his masters in theater arts from Bowling Green University, Toledo. He was a teacher at Lutheran High School North in Chicago from 1960 to 1967, and was CEO of Earnest Machine Products from 1968 to 2007 in Parma. John’s true love and passion was always music and theater. Throughout his life, he was a conductor of many bands and orchestras in a variety of Lutheran schools. In 1999, he founded the Lutheran Wind Ensemble, which was the perfect vehicle for his acting, entertaining, and philanthropy. The Lutheran Wind Ensemble provides musical instruments to schoolchildren in Lutheran schools in the greater Cleveland area. John’s passion for playing an instrument helped encourage many people, young and old, to play music and what started as an 11-piece band in 1999 has grown to a 40+ orchestra today. He was loved and respected by many and will be missed dearly. We have often heard what a big personality our dad had even though he was usually the smallest person in the room.
Visitation Friday 2-4 and 6-8PM in the Chapel at Sunset Memorial, 6245 Columbia Rd., North Olmsted. Funeral service Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 10AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 27993 Detroit Rd, Westlake (PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH). Entombment to follow at the Westwood Abbey Mausoleum at Sunset Memorial park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lutheran Wind Ensemble, c/o Lutheran West High School, 3850 Linden Rd., Rocky River 44116 or the VeloSano Bike to Cure, in support of team Earnest Machine, 9500 Euclid Ave. DVB, Cleveland 44195 or www.velosano.org. dostalbokas.com
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