WILLIAM ZELINSKI

William J. Bill Zelinski, of Neenah, age 85, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, May 19, 2012. He was born on February 9, 1927 in Menasha, son of the late Thomas and Thekla (Suess) Zelinski. Bill graduated from St. Mary High School in 1945, was drafted, and served in the Occupational Army in Europe until 1946. After his service he attended the Oshkosh Business College. Bill was employed by Gear Dairy in Menasha then American Can (formerly Marathon) until he retired in 1987 after 37 years. He married Patricia Kofler on April 22, 1950 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Bill was an avid baseball fan and played amateur baseball in the 1950s with the Menasha Merchants, now the Macs. He served his community as an Alderman in the late 1960s, early 1970s. Bill also served on the Neenah-Menasha Sewage Commission for 32 years, many of them as president. He volunteered for over 40 years at the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse in New Holstein, WI. Bill was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Neenah. Survivors include his wife, Patricia; eight, children: Peg (Peter) Zagzebski, New London, Kay (Scott) Rasmussen, West Bend, Thomas (Jenni Bruehl) Zelinski, Menasha, Jenny (Mark) Mankiewicz, Neenah, Sue (Ted) Miller, Neenah, Tricia (Doug) Rogers, West Bend, Amy (Joe) Gruse, Neenah, Trudy (John) Long, Neenah; thirty grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Paul (Pat) Zelinski, FL; two sisters: Mary Lou Murphy, Menasha, Joan Zelinski, Menasha; and two sisters-in-law: Katie Zelinski, Menasha, Judy Marquis, OH. Bill was preceded in death by a son, Matthew; two brothers; two brothers-in-law; and a sister-in-law. The Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Neenah, with Rev. Michael Ingold officiating. The visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Neenahs Westgor Funeral Home, with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service. There will also be a visitation at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Interment will be in St. Margarets Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established in his name. The family wishes to thank Dr. Goggins and his staff, as well as, the Affinity Hospice staff, for all their care and assistance.