Richard “Gene” Eugene Zender, age 88, died December 13, 2021at The Good Shepherd Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation of Ashland, Ohio.
Gene was born on January 28, 1933, in Marion, IN to the late Richard and Donna Mae (Pierce) Zender. He had been a Crestline resident for many years, and most recently resided at the home of his daughter in Ashland, Ohio. He was employed by General Motors in Ontario for 30 years until his retirement in 1988. Gene was a veteran with the United States Army who proudly served in the Korean War. He then served for over ten years in the United States Army Reserve. He was a member of the Korean War Vets Association of Leesburg, FL and the Veterans of Foreign War of Crestline. Gene had many interests throughout his life including fishing, golfing, woodworking, and music. He led several music groups in his lifetime, singing and playing guitar.
He is survived by his son, Michael (Kathy) Zender of Bucyrus, OH; daughter, Sandra (Michael) Valentine of Ashland, OH; grandchildren, Cory (Monica) Zender, Jeremy (Christy) Zender, Kailey Krebs, Julie Krebs, and Robert Krebs; Great-Grandchildren, Cole, Carley, Nevaeh, Alden, and Easton; and a sister, Marlene Arcuri.
In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jeannette Marilyn (Sheidler) Zender, whom he married on December 23, 1953, and sisters, Joan Bollinger, and Catherine Cooper.
