David Allen Zellmer

Garner, NC - David "Dave" Allen Zellmer, 74, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at the VA Hospital in Durham, NC. A memorial service will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church in Clayton, NC, on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 9:30am.

Dave was born on December 17, 1948 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI to Almond and Rose (Schaffenburger) Zellmer. He grew up loving the outdoors, playing baseball, basketball, football, and hunting and fishing with family and friends. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry, Fishing, Wildlife, Soils and Water, from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. He married Marcia J. Jackan on August 7, 1971, and joined the United States Air Force, shortly thereafter, attending Officer Training School.

The Air Force took Dave and Marcia to many places in the US including Michigan, California, Alabama, Nebraska, Virginia, and finally Rome, NY where Dave retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Dave also earned a Master's degree in management from Central Michigan University during his service.

After his time in the Air Force, Dave worked at the Turning Stone Casino in Oneida County, NY as a blackjack and craps dealer, a floor supervisor, and then as a pit boss before he and Marcia moved back to Central Wisconsin to be closer to Dave's mother during her golden years.

In 2009, they strayed from their initial retirement plan of living on the Wisconsin River, and moved from Mosinee, WI to Clayton, NC to be nearer to their kids and grandkids, and attend their countless games, performances, and events. Dave loved spending time with his family, playing golf, rooting for the Packers, Brewers, Bucks, and Badgers, helping others, and making new friends. Dave will be remembered as a wonderful husband, a loving father, a fun and generous grandfather, a caring brother, a giving and selfless friend, a fountain of jokes, a facilitator of laughter, and a stranger to none.

Survivors include his wife, Marcia; two sons, Jack (Lynn) Zellmer, Wake Forest, NC, and Mike (Shannon) Zellmer, Holly Springs, NC; three granddaughters, Mariana, Julia, and Isabella Zellmer; one grandson, Mason Zellmer; and one brother Richard (Vickie) Zellmer, Powell, OH. He was predeceased by his parents. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Durham VA Hospital, who provided wonderful care for Dave, or to a charity of your choice in Dave's honor. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com for the Zellmer family. Arrangements are with McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton, NC.