Thomas Reasoner Zelinsky

Thomas Reasoner Zelinsky Battle Creek Thomas Reasoner Zelinsky, 87, of Battle Creek died at Mease Continuing Care in Dunedin, FL on Thursday, January 14, 2010. He was born August 5, 1922, in Battle Creek to Dr. Thomas and Jessie Fremont (Reasoner) Zelinsky. Tom was a 1940 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School, attended Albion College two years and received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1947. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII in the European Third Theatre. Tom was employed by Clark Equipment Company 1948-1952. In 1953, he was one of the original incorporators of Morrison Equipment / Western Clark Dealership, retiring in 1983 after 30 years. Thomas married to the former Ruth Alman in 1961. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in 2001; by his parents and by a sister, Frances Zelinsky, early in life. Tom married the former Margaret Paul on November 21, 2002. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; a stepdaughter, Joan Castillo of East Lansing, MI; a stepson, James (Marsha) Engelhardt of Battle Creek; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Luke) Williams of Miami, FL, Brian (Kristen) Engelhardt of Battle Creek, Michelle Castillo of Baltimore, MD and Marcos Castillo of East Lansing. Tom was a member of the Heritage Society of the Battle Creek Community Foundation, the Institute for Learning and Retirement, Burnham Brook Center and he attended the First Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed spending the summers at the family cottage on Gull Lake, sailing, reading, playing Bridge, spending many winters in Siesta Key, FL, and Dunedin, FL. He especially loved spending time with family and friends. Friends will be received 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, where memorial services to celebrate Tom's life will be held at the 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2010, with Dr. Jeffrey S. Carlson officiating. Tom's cremated remains will be placed on the family lot at Oak Hill Cemetery. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com