Dean Edward Zoeller, of Portage

Published 8:20 am Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Jan. 20, 1947 — March 17, 2014

Dean Edward Zoeller, of Portage died Tuesday, March 17, 2014, at age 67.

Dean Zoeller

Dean Zoeller

Dean was born Jan. 20, 1947, in South Bend, Ind. to the late John and Vivian (Disney) Zoeller.

He was united in marriage to Linda Harrison on May 22, 1982, who survives.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1965 until honorably discharged in 1968. He was awarded several commendations, including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Valor for his military service as a Combat Medic with the 1st Cavalry, 2nd and the 5th Battalions.

Before his retirement, Dean was employed as a case manager working with the homeless and low income citizens to secure needed healthcare services in South Bend. In addition to being a devoted family man, he loved woodworking, cooking, reading and working outside in the garden. He loved to tell stories and jokes. He was a member of the American Legion and St. Catherine’s Parish.

Dean is survived by his wife, Linda Zoeller of Portage; son, Hans (Brittany) Zoeller of Portage; granddaughter, Adalia; sisters, Susan (Tom) Fezy and Mary (Don) Swift; brother-in-law, Larry Grundy; and many nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Lea Grundy and Peggy (John) Stettler.

Family will greet friends on Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 East Centre Ave., where the rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1150 W. Centre Ave., Portage, where the family will also greet friends for one hour before the service. A private burial will be later, in Chapel Hill Gardens, Osceola, Ind.

Memorials in Dean’s name may be directed to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, www.lls.org. Please visit Dean’s personalized web page at www.langelands.com.