WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Joseph H. Zonyk, age 87, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at Three Rivers Health Hospice Respite Suite in Three Rivers. He was born in Vicksburg on March 8, 1922, a son of Michael and Theodora (Wieleba) Zonyk. Joe graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1940 and attended Hillsdale College for one year. On January 19, 1974 he married Wanda Schlatter in Bronson. Joe worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Vicksburg for 32 years. He attained the position of Assistant Postmaster and later Supt. of Mails before retiring in 1978.
Joe was a W.W.II veteran, US 8th Air Force, where he served as a radio operator gunner on B-24 Liberators. He flew 35 combat missions over Nazi occupied Europe and was awarded the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters and 4 battle stars: the Ardennes, Rhineland, Northern France and Central Europe.
Joe was a member of the American Legion Neuman Wenzel Post 73, Sturgis, and the Red Arrow Post 1527 VFW, Kalamazoo. He enjoyed ham radio (KD8RM), golf, boating, and attending his bomb group reunions over the past few years. Joe loved his church and church family at St. Clare Catholic Church, Centreville, where he was an usher and former Parish Council Member.
Surviving Joe are his wife Wanda Zonyk. Sturgis, daughter Susan (Ron) Reardon of Stanwood, son Daniel (Caryn) Zonyk of Vicksburg, grandchildren Angela Zonyk, Joshua Reardon, Jeffrey Reardon, Michael (Sara) Zonyk, Michelle (David) Malito, great grandchildren Gavin Joseph Zonyk, Emily Alyse Malito, Wren Elizabeth Zonyk , Elliana Paige Zonyk, and several nieces and nephews.
Rosary Services will be held Friday at 5:00 p.m. at the Eley Funeral Home in Centreville, where visitation will follow from 5:30-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, Three Rivers, MI. at 10:30 am Saturday, with Father Mark Vyverman officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Clare Catholic Church, Centreville. Interment will be at Vicksburg Cemetery. Online messages may be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.
