By Staff
Frank Edward Zelasko, 88, of Rynearson Road in Buchanan died in the early morning hours on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at Lakeland Hospital of Niles.
Visitation will be held at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel on Friday, April 25, from 1 to 2, with his funeral immediately following at 2 p.m. His body has been cremated and will be interred next to his loving wife Patsy. Pastor Tom Fox will be officiating.
He was born on Jan. 19, 1920, to the late Alexander and Mary (Goverinski) Zelasko in Lydick, Ind. He grew up as one of seven children in the Zelasko household.
After attending high school in South Bend, Ind. he joined the military. He proudly served in the United States Army during World War II as a truck driver. While serving his country, he achieved several awards including EAME Theater Ribbon with five Bronze Stars and one Bronze Arrow Head, Purple Heart and a Distinguished Unit Citation.
After all of his hard work in the Army, he left as a sergeant with his head held high and went to find work in the civilian world. He continued as a truck driver for several different companies. He never could slow down and age was no factor for him. He was always working, no matter what.
In 1960 he began working at West Motor Sales as service manager. On April 17, 1961, he wed the love of his life, Patsy Speckine, at a ceremony in Niles. They soon headed west with their children for a few years, then returned to his same position at West Motor Sales until they closed. In 1978, he completed his GED from Brandywine High School at the age of 58.
Zelasko worked at Gelco, Whiteford Lease, and even as a claims adjuster for a period of time. He then became camp manager at Roger's Lake Campground and at a fishing camp in Canada. He also managed the apartments where he lived in Scottville. At the wonderful age of 82, he finally decided to retire. After a year of fun with his wife, he decided to move to Buchanan.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife of 46 years, Patsy; son, Michael Martin; brothers, Richard Zelasko and Joe (Jannett) Zelasko; sisters, Alice Kowalski, Rose Laskowski and Agnes Niebalski.
Surviving family includes a son, Frank (Penny) Zelasko, Jr. of Buchanan; daughters, Kathleen (Bill) Shearer of Grand Junction, Karen (Larry) Salzwedel of La Porte, Ind., Christine (Frank) Hicks of Hurricane, Utah, Pam (Jerry) White of Anderson, Ind. and Maribeth Zelasko of Buchanan; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren with one on the way, two great-great-grandchildren and a sister, Ann Locsmondy of South Bend, Ind.
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Hospice at Home, Inc.; 4025 Health Park Lane; St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.
Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.
Arrangements were by Brown Funeral Home &Cremation Services and Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, both of Niles.