Merrill Zinser

Merrill “Chuck” Zinser passed away on October 27, 2023, at Miller’s Oak Pointe, Columbia City, IN, where he had been a resident in assisted living and the nursing home for nine years. He was born on March 4, 1929, in Blue Island, IL, to Merrill M. and Charlotte (Graham) Zinser. He lived in Blue Island during his youth and graduated from Blue Island High School in 1947.

He attended Morgan Park Junior College and the University of IL at Champagne. In 1952, he married Graciella “Gracie” Belz. She died in 1980. Chuck was a welder and boilermaker and was very handy. He did home repair as a side job for many years. At one time he called himself “The Dome Ceiling Man”.

In 1971, he and his wife moved the family to Rolling Prairie, IN, where they bought a farm. While he didn’t farm the land himself, he helped raise chickens, sold eggs, and put up hay and straw for sale. In 1994 he moved to Bonita Springs, FL, and lived there for more than 20 years. He loved Florida and was happiest there. He sang in a barbershop chorus for many years. Even toward the end of his life he had a beautiful singing voice and often sang for friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Gracie; son, Frederick Zinser; and sister, Doris Felgenhauer.

He is survived by his daughter, Grace (Bob) Lotter of Columbia City, IN; special friend, Hazel Ewing, Point Pleasant, WV; grandson, Brian (Heather Flannery) Lotter of Rockville, MD; granddaughter Gwendolyn (Zeena Abdi) Lotter of Sayreville, NJ; great-grandchildren Verona and Sebastian Lotter; great- grandchildren Julian and Luca Galano, and Calliope and Charlotte Abdi-Lotter; and his ex-wife, Ann Zinser.

At Chuck’s request, there will be a graveside service for family and close friends at Rolling Prairie Cemetery, Roling Prairie, IN. Memorial contributions may be made to Mission 25 in Columbia City.

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