Rev. John W. Zielasko

Reverend John W. Zielasko of Winona Lake, Indiana went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 6:57 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at his residence at the age of 96.

He was born on May 7, 1921 in Minersville, Pennsylvania to John L. Zielasko and Marfell (Warlow) Zielasko.  On July 22, 1944 he was married to F. Jean (Beveridge) Zielasko, who passed away on November 12, 2013.  They shared 69 years of marriage together. 

John served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and was honorably discharged in 1945.  He earned his B.S. degree from Millersville, Pennsylvania and his B.D. from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana.  In 1979 he also earned his Masters from Grace Theological Seminary. 

From 1952-1966, he, along with his wife and family served as missionaries in Brazil under the Grace Brethren Missions.  John also served as the general director of the Grace Brethren Foreign Missionary Society from 1966-1985.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 253 of North Webster, Indiana and a longtime member of Lakeland Grace Brethren Church of Warsaw, Indiana.  He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. 

He is survived by his four children: John R. (wife Sharon W.) Zielasko (Hemet, California); Ann L. (husband H. James) Tallman (South Bend, Indiana); James M. (wife Terri L.) Zielasko (Winona Lake, Indiana); and Janet S. (husband Dr. Thomas L.) Ryerson (Corona, California). 

John also leaves behind fourteen grandchildren: Corrine A. Tallman, Clinton J. (wife Lenka) Tallman, Chad M. (wife Anastasia) Tallman, Tyler J. (wife Kari B.) Zielasko, Christopher J. (wife Crystal L.) Zielasko, J. Douglas (wife Ladeen L.) Zielasko, Kendra M. (husband Sean A.) Smith, Evan G. (wife Kathryn L.) Ryerson, Elyssa F. (husband Andrew) Harootian, Elena S. (husband Jonathan) Le, Elliot J. (wife Jessica) Ryerson, James R. (wife Tiffany) Hatch, Jeffrey D. (wife Sel) Hatch, and Jerod R. (wife Rachael) Hatch.

He is survived as well by twenty-two great-grandchildren: Joshua, Suzie, Isaac, Jackson, Layla, Ryland, Emery, Logan, Glenn, Jerod, Lucy, Liam, Jashawn, Jada, Mia, Jordon, Evžen, Žofie, Beckett, Valerie, Elijah, and Elana.  Other survivors are his brother:  Ned Zielasko (Ephrata, Pennsylvania); and his sister Jeanette Gauntlet (York, Pennsylvania).

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and daughter-in-law Suzan M. (Goodman) Zielasko.  

His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana and officiated by Dr. Russell E. Simpson.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.  There will be visitation prior to the service on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 from 10:00 - 1:00 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be directed to Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, Indiana  46581-1196; or to Lakeland Grace Brethren Church, 2538 S. County Farm Road, Warsaw, Indiana 46580 and would be appreciated by the family.    

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