John Dennis Zanella

John "Dennis" Zanella was a very easygoing person however he did have a flare for the dramatics...iykyk. His approach to life was, if something was worth doing then give it 110%. He was born December 22, 1943 in Morris, IL. He was raised in Dwight, IL and attended Dwight Elementary and Dwight Township High School. He joined the Navy right after high school. He was stationed in San Diego, CA. After leaving the Navy he made the Pacific Northwest his home. He had a very strong work ethic and at times while raising his family, going to college and apprentice school he also worked a part time job. His family was his crown jewel and there was never a doubt that we were loved by him. Dennis played just as hard as he worked. He had a healthy balance of both. He never met a stranger. He could find common ground with just about anyone and always had a story to tell. His laugh and sense of humor will be sorely missed. Watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation will never be the same without him. Traveling was something that he really enjoyed. He's driven through almost all of the states in the US, sailed in the Bahamas and has traveled Europe. While in the Navy he spent time in Japan as well as other countries. After retiring he spent a lot of time fishing, hunting and traveling to see his daughter in Louisiana, his granddaughter in New York and followed his grandson to various states to all over the US playing lacrosse. He also spent time in Arizona watching Major League baseball spring training. In February of 2022 his health started to decline. On Sunday, Jaunuary 19, 2025 he passed away peacefully in his home with his family around him. Even in his final years he kept his sense of humor and was always up for a good time with friends and family. He is loved by his family beyond measure. His was a life well lived.

Upon leaving active duty in the Navy in 1965 he went to work for Hyster. Dennis started his brick mason apprenticeship shortly after working for Hyster with Bromley Masonry. Once he completed his apprenticeship he continued working for Bromley as well as working for other contractors. In 1976 he started his own masonry business. He volunteered his time and masonry skills alongside his father in law, Lewis Kramer for various Catholic Churches and organizations. He retired from his business in 1999.

Dennis loved car racing as a young man. He attended a few pretrial runs at the Indy 500. He made and raced slot cars as well. He bought his daughters a battery operated slot car track for Christmas one year...he spent more time playing with it than the girls. He loved baseball and softball. He played baseball as a young man. While in the Navy he was a catcher on the softball team. He coached his daughters for seven years in Gresham Little League. He was a lifelong New York Yankees fan and also had a passion for LSU football. He was also a big hunter and fisherman. He had more gear than most sporting good stores. He was a lifetime member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and also a member of the Northwet Steelheaders. He hunted and fished in many states as well as British Columbia and the Yukon.

Dennis' Celebration of Life Open House will be held on July 12, 2025 from 1pm to 4pm at the Gresham Elks Lodge #1805 located at 3330 NE Division St., Gresham, Oregon 97030. Graveside services and internment were held February 20,2025 at Willamette National Cemetery and funeral mass was said by Monsignor Timothy Murphy at Central Catholic High School.

Dennis is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Darleen, his daughters Erica Ourso (Stuart) Washougal, WA, Stephanie Schomber (Jeff) Washougal, WA and his grandchildren Amanda Legg (Peter) Catskill, NY, Hannah Legg Vancouver, WA and Andrew Legg (Haley) Woodland, WA. Brothers Jeff Scott (Pam) Mesquite, AZ and Jeff Zanella (Jeannine) Punta Gorda, FL. Yes, he had two brothers named Jeff. Sisters, Kim Sinkler (Jerry) Ottawa, IL and Jonine Zanella Serra (Frank) Sarasota, FL. He also has eight nieces and nephews and several grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Eloise (Brady) Scott and his dad, Donald Andrew Scott both of Dwight, IL. His father, John Dominic Zanella of Joliet, IL.

Dennis was a huge animal lover, a Navy Veteran and an avid outdoorsman. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following charities that he supported. www.rescue4all.org, www.donate.k9sforwarriors.org and www.rmef.org.