The Honorable Judge Joseph Carl Zieba

LORAIN - The Honorable Judge Joseph Carl Zieba, 87 of Lorain, Ohio died early Friday morning, March 2, 2012 in EMH Regional Health Care, Elyria, Ohio after a brief illness.
He was born to the late Katherine (nee: Kusekiewiez) and Jacob Zieba on September 13, 1924 in Lorain where he was a life long resident. Judge Zieba served as a pilot flying damaged airplane from Europe in the Army of the United States Air Corp during World War II. He joined the reserves and was discharged in 1961 as a First Lieutenant. Judge Zieba was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal. He graduated from Ohio University and Case School of Law. He worked his way through law school by working on the Lorain Coal and Iron Ore docks. Judge Zieba was the Chairman of the Lorain County Republican party from 1962-1981. He served on the Lorain County Board of Elections from 1962-1981. Judge Zieba was a former Lorain Municipal Judge and Lorain County Domestic Relations Judge. After retirement he served as a Visiting Judge in the Cuyahoga County Juvenal Court. He was a close friend, adviser and early supporter of both Governor James A. Rhodes and President Ronald Reagan. Judge Zieba was a long time member of Mary Mother of God Church (formerly St. Mary's), Lorain. He was an avid golfer, tennis player, bowler on many leagues, boater and fisherman. His passion was flying his single engine Moody aircraft to many parts of the world. Judge Zieba was a member of the former Toast Masters, Lorain. He was a life member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Lorain County Bar Association. Judge Zieba was also a member of the Lorain Kiwanis Club, the American Legion, Wellington Post, VFW, Fraternal Order of Moose, No. 552, Lorain, Lorain Elks, the Polish Fishermen's Club, Lorain and the Ohio Lakefront Property Owner of which he was a founding member.
He will be sorely missed by his daughters, Linda Lee (Timothy F., Sr.) Gerek of Lorain, Karla Ann (Michael L.) Neely of Austin, Texas, Lorraine Lynn (John Chumney) Zieba of Austin, Spring Valerie (Walter A., Jr.) Frey of Lorain and Joellen Zieba (Lowell H. 'Todd') Kessler of Lorain, his brother, Edward (Lillian) Zieba of Lorain, his sister, Joanne Zieba of Westlake, Ohio, grandchildren, Shelley, Timothy, Jr., David, Rachel, Ryan, Allison and Holliston, great grandchildren, Tony and Jessica and great great granddaughter, Raelynn.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of forty six years, Ella (nee: Stone) Zieba in 1999, his brother, Henry Zieba and sisters, Marian Hunter, Helen Schultz and Lois Zieba.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 6 PM until 8 PM and on Friday, March 9, 2012 from 2 PM until 4 PM and from 6 PM until 8 PM in the WALTER A. FREY FUNERAL HOME, 700 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44052. Closing prayers will be said on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 10:15 AM in the funeral home. A mass of Christian burial will be at 11 AM in Mary Mother of God Church, NW corner of Eighth Street and Reid Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44052 with The Rev. Fr. Craig Hovanec, pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church, Lorain celebrating. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Twp., Ohio with full military honors by the Louis Paul Proy Chapter, No. 20, Lorain and the American Legion, Post 118/VFW, Amherst.
On line condolences may be sent to www.freyfuneralhome.com.