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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Johnny "John"
Ray Zumbahlen
September 3, 1953 – July 29, 2015
Obituary
Johnny Ray "John" Zumbahlen, age 61
of Newton went to be with the Lord at 7:35 pm Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney, Illinois. He passed away from a heart attack suddenly and unexpectedly while doing what he loved, working on his farm.
Funeral services celebrating the life of this wonderful man will be at the First Baptist Church, 400 W Washington Street Newton, Illinois at 10:00 AM - Monday, August 3, 2015 with the Rev. Stephen Willis officiating. A motorcade will lead the way to his burial, which will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM – Sunday, August 2, 2015 at the church with Masonic services at 7:00 PM. In loving memory of John, memorials may be made to JCCF/Jasper Outreach Fund. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
John was born on September 3, 1953, in Flora, Illinois the son of Adolph Anthony and Florence Marie (Donsbach) Zumbahlen. He was one of three siblings living in rural Newton, Illinois. He married his high school friend, Anthea Grace Katsorelos at Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Ste. Marie, Illinois on July 2, 1977. They began their family in 1980, with the birth of their daughter, Sarah Anne followed by the birth of their son, Lucas Ray in 1984.
John was a hard worker his entire life. As a child, he began working on his family farm, which continued into adulthood; his corn still standing tall around his house as he passed away. After graduating from Newton Community High School in 1971, John worked in the oil fields of Michigan. Shortly after, John learned the trade of brick masonry and developed his own company, John Zumbahlen Masonry, which he ran until he was 60 years old. He was a master at his craft, completing many masonry projects, large and small throughout Jasper County and the surrounding area. He not only left his mark on the community through brick and mortar, but also through the lives he touched, providing jobs and mentorship to those in need. John was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Newton, Jasper County Shrine Club, Ainad Shrine Temple in Belleville, Illinois and Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois through Winterrowd Lodge #664 in Dieterich, Illinois.
It was a widely known fact among his family and friends that John worked hard and played hard. He had many hobbies, which included gardening, hunting, camping, riding his motorcycle, flying his plane and spending quality time with his family. John started to get his pilot's license in 1979, but put it on hold while starting his family. He took up flying model airplanes in the interim and completed the process in 2011. It was common to see John flying above Jasper County with friends, circling over his crops. John was an avid deer hunter with both shotgun and bow. It was the highlight of his hunting career when he claimed a trophy buck scoring 194 inches boone and crockett. He hosted many archery enthusiasts at his indoor range in the winter while Anthea hosted quilters in the shed that he built for them. John enjoyed running his tractor, forklift, and bulldozer. He used these "toys" to prepare some ground so he could build a cabin for his family, which his family hopes to complete one day in his honor. In John's early years, he participated in motocross races and won many trophies. Later, closer to retirement, John slowed down and bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle. He put many miles on his bike with Anthea and his local riding buddies. In his last days, John was enthusiastically preparing to ride out west. He was seen in great spirits with a grin on his face that everyone will be sure to remember.
Above all, John cherished his family. He was a man of few words, but of great presence. He valued his family and did everything he could for them. It made him very happy and content to have them near. He was a caring husband, father and pappy and will be missed tremendously by his loved ones.
John is survived by his wife of 38 years, Anthea (Katsorelos) Zumbahlen; two children, Sarah (husband Daniel) Weiler and Lucas Zumbahlen; two grandchildren, Annalea Grace Weiler and Logan Joseph Weiler; two brothers, Jerry (wife Connie) Zumbahlen and Mark (wife Poodie) Zumbahlen; his father-in-law, John Katsorelos all of Newton, Illinois. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Tony (wife Robyn) Katsorelos of Leawood, Kansas, and a sister-in-law, Pamela (husband John) Burton, of South Lyon, Michigan as well as several nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Florence Zumbahlen and his mother-in-law, Marinda Lea "Rin" Katsorelos, who he is surely meeting with in paradise.
of Newton went to be with the Lord at 7:35 pm Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney, Illinois. He passed away from a heart attack suddenly and unexpectedly while doing what he loved, working on his farm.
Funeral services celebrating the life of this wonderful man will be at the First Baptist Church, 400 W Washington Street Newton, Illinois at 10:00 AM - Monday, August 3, 2015 with the Rev. Stephen Willis officiating. A motorcade will lead the way to his burial, which will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM – Sunday, August 2, 2015 at the church with Masonic services at 7:00 PM. In loving memory of John, memorials may be made to JCCF/Jasper Outreach Fund. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
John was born on September 3, 1953, in Flora, Illinois the son of Adolph Anthony and Florence Marie (Donsbach) Zumbahlen. He was one of three siblings living in rural Newton, Illinois. He married his high school friend, Anthea Grace Katsorelos at Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Ste. Marie, Illinois on July 2, 1977. They began their family in 1980, with the birth of their daughter, Sarah Anne followed by the birth of their son, Lucas Ray in 1984.
John was a hard worker his entire life. As a child, he began working on his family farm, which continued into adulthood; his corn still standing tall around his house as he passed away. After graduating from Newton Community High School in 1971, John worked in the oil fields of Michigan. Shortly after, John learned the trade of brick masonry and developed his own company, John Zumbahlen Masonry, which he ran until he was 60 years old. He was a master at his craft, completing many masonry projects, large and small throughout Jasper County and the surrounding area. He not only left his mark on the community through brick and mortar, but also through the lives he touched, providing jobs and mentorship to those in need. John was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Newton, Jasper County Shrine Club, Ainad Shrine Temple in Belleville, Illinois and Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois through Winterrowd Lodge #664 in Dieterich, Illinois.
It was a widely known fact among his family and friends that John worked hard and played hard. He had many hobbies, which included gardening, hunting, camping, riding his motorcycle, flying his plane and spending quality time with his family. John started to get his pilot's license in 1979, but put it on hold while starting his family. He took up flying model airplanes in the interim and completed the process in 2011. It was common to see John flying above Jasper County with friends, circling over his crops. John was an avid deer hunter with both shotgun and bow. It was the highlight of his hunting career when he claimed a trophy buck scoring 194 inches boone and crockett. He hosted many archery enthusiasts at his indoor range in the winter while Anthea hosted quilters in the shed that he built for them. John enjoyed running his tractor, forklift, and bulldozer. He used these "toys" to prepare some ground so he could build a cabin for his family, which his family hopes to complete one day in his honor. In John's early years, he participated in motocross races and won many trophies. Later, closer to retirement, John slowed down and bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle. He put many miles on his bike with Anthea and his local riding buddies. In his last days, John was enthusiastically preparing to ride out west. He was seen in great spirits with a grin on his face that everyone will be sure to remember.
Above all, John cherished his family. He was a man of few words, but of great presence. He valued his family and did everything he could for them. It made him very happy and content to have them near. He was a caring husband, father and pappy and will be missed tremendously by his loved ones.
John is survived by his wife of 38 years, Anthea (Katsorelos) Zumbahlen; two children, Sarah (husband Daniel) Weiler and Lucas Zumbahlen; two grandchildren, Annalea Grace Weiler and Logan Joseph Weiler; two brothers, Jerry (wife Connie) Zumbahlen and Mark (wife Poodie) Zumbahlen; his father-in-law, John Katsorelos all of Newton, Illinois. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Tony (wife Robyn) Katsorelos of Leawood, Kansas, and a sister-in-law, Pamela (husband John) Burton, of South Lyon, Michigan as well as several nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Florence Zumbahlen and his mother-in-law, Marinda Lea "Rin" Katsorelos, who he is surely meeting with in paradise.
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