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David Zola Obituary
The funeral Mass will be at 10 am on Monday October 1st at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 708 W. Main St., Urbana, IL. Father Luke Spannagel will officiate. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7:30 pm on Sunday, September 30th at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Burial will be private. Owens Funeral Home, Champaign is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dr. Zola was born May 29, 1947, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the son of Remo and Elinor Zola. He married Susan Staats on May 29, 1989.
Surviving are a daughter, Sarah Zola Khazoum, and her husband, Eli; a daughter, Anne Zola; a son, Luke Zola; a sister, Dale Zola; and his wife, Susan.
Dr. Zola graduated from Lenox High School in 1965 and continued his education at Fairfield University, Williams College, and Cornell University. In 1978, he accepted a position as an assistant research professor at the University of Illinois and for the next 40 years distinguished himself as an outstanding teacher and professor in the UI College of Education. He lived to mentor, encourage, and foster long lasting relationships with his students, many of whom became lifelong friends.
Outside the classroom, he served as a youth minister in St. Patrick's Parish, where he met his future wife. He did not realize anything in his life was missing until he was blessed with three children, whom he always said were his greatest gifts. Called to serve once more, he was ordained as a deacon in May 2012, a role which allowed him to positively influence the lives of others every day.
His legacy will live on through his family, students, parishioners, and all the many lives he impacted with his humor, grace, and compassion.
Dr. Zola wanted to give a gift to the church that encompasses his lifelong love of music. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church, in David's honor, to build a formal cantor stand in his name.
Condolences may be offered at www.owensfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Zola
Sponsored by The Berkshire Eagle.
3 Entries
October 13, 2018
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Ted Powers
October 4, 2018
I am heartbroken at hearing of David's passing. I was one of David's TA's back in the 1990's and he helped me become a much more effective teacher. He was always looking for a new and better way to have students learn. I remember acting out the stages of memory for the class. I remember David dressing up as Piaget. I remember he had me wear the mask of Beavis (of Beavis & Butthead) and sit with the students and act like a horrible student so he could demonstrate effective classroom management skills. He emphasized that if you were worried about being embarrassed in front of your students, you would never be a good instructor. And above all else, he communicated his care for the students. Yes, David was brilliant. But what set him apart is how much he cared for those around him. He will be dearly missed.
Lenox Police Department
October 2, 2018
Please accept our sincere condolences at the passing of David. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
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Owens Funeral Home - Champaign101 North Elm Street, Champaign, IL 61820
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