John "Wayne" Zerbe

ZERBE, John "Wayne" - Of Burton, age 84, died Monday, December 22, 2008 at Brian's House of Davison. Funeral service will be held at 10:30AM Saturday, December 27, 2008 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Reverend Harold K. Polk, Jr. officiating. Burial in Bristol Cemetery. Visitation 11AM-6PM Wednesday and 10AM-1:30PM and 6-8:30PM Friday at the funeral home. John was born in Howell, Michigan on February 14, 1924, the son of the late John M. and Thressa (Knudtson) Zerbe and was a resident of the Flint area most of his life. John's father died during the Great Depression so he helped support the family by hunting, trapping and farming. John served in the U.S. Army during World War II in New Guinea, the Philippines, and the Occupancy of Japan. He was a bricklayer and business agent for Local 12 for many years. He was the President of the Flint Area Building Trades Council. John was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating. Mr. Zerbe was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association of Flushing and enjoyed many flying activities. Surviving are 3 sons, John E. and wife Marilyn of Mt. Pleasant and their children, John B. (Karen), Ruth-Anne (Emil), Christiana, Annette (Chris), Samantha and 5 grandchildren, Monte K. and wife Sue of Daytona Beach, Florida and their children, Monte N. and Suzette-Jaqueline, Randy and wife Judy and their children, Ryan, Neil and Andrea; 2 sisters, Margery Gorton and Vivian (Frank) Pringle; 2 brothers, Jerry (Kate) Zerbe and E. Richard "Dick" Zerbe; numerous nieces, nephews and former wife, Veneda Zerbe. John was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Violet Zerbe and Fern Jackson; special companion, May McGlinchey. Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com