John David Zelinko
St. Charles, Michigan
Passed away, peacefully with his family by his side, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Covenant Harrison. Age 76 years.
The son of the late Andrew and Mary (Horny) Zelinko was born October 27, 1945 in Fremont Township, Michigan. He graduated from St. Charles High School, Class of 1963 and earned his Associates degree in Agriculture from Michigan State University. John was a lifelong farmer with special interest in Registered Angus Cattle. He also was a Sales Representative for W. R. Grace and Co. and Su-Crest Corp; He also managed the Frutchey Bean grain elevator in St. Charles. He was a member of St. John XXIII Parish, St. Mary Church, Hemlock; a lifelong member of the Farm Bureau; a lifelong member of the Michigan and National Cattlemen Association and the American Angus Assoc. He served on the Community State Bank Board of Directors and as a member of the Fremont Township Board of Review. He traveled with a farmer’s missionary group to Central and South America to teach farming and cattle raising.
Surviving are two brothers, one sister and their spouses, Joe and Elaine Zelinko, Mary and Tom Schrems, Tony and Ruth Hansen Zelinko, his sisters-in-law, Sue Zelinko and Peggy Miller- Zelinko, his nieces and nephews and their spouses, Brett Zelinko, Jason and Stacie Zelinko, Ryan and Stephanie Zelinko, Lynn and Don McCoy, Brian and Courtney Schrems, Elena Zelinko and her fiancé, Phillip, Annika Zelinko, Andrew Miller-Zelinko, R. J. Miller-Zelinko, Dylan Miller-Zelinko, Rebecca Miller-Zelinko, Jennifer Zelinko; his great nieces and great nephews, Tyler, Makayla, Gabe, Emily, Allison and Nicole Zelinko; Ella, Sophia and Claire Schrems; many other family and friends, especially Andy Schomaker. He also leaves a very special friend, Susie Brennan and her family. He was predeceased by a sister and two brothers, Barbara Zelinko, Francis “Poncho” Zelinko and Andy Zelinko, and by a special nephew, Aaron Zelinko.
The funeral liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, at St. John XXIII Parish, St. Mary Church, Hemlock. Fr. Steve Gavit will officiate with burial in Fremont Township Cemetery. Friends may visit with family at the W. L. Case and Co. Funeral Directors, 201 N. Miller Rd. from 2:00-8:00 p.m. Friday where a vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friends may then visit at the church from 10:00 a.m. Saturday until the time of the funeral liturgy. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Special Olympics, Area 22; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Saginaw County Fair. www.casefuneralhome.com