John E. Zook

John E. Zook, age 84, of Orrville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at LifeCare Hospice in Wooster, following a period of declining health.

John was born on March 8, 1940, in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, to the late Aaron and Elsie (Mast) Zook. He graduated from Lancaster Mennonite School in Lancaster, PA with the class of 1958 and earned a Bachelor's degree from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 1977. On August 5, 1961, he married Velma J. Dillman in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and together they shared 63 wonderful years of marriage.

John was a Sales Executive for several custom kitchen companies, most recently working with Premier Custom Kitchens, retiring in 2009. He found joy in his retirement driving a van for Orrville City Schools.

A devoted member of Oak Grove Mennonite Church, John lived out his faith through service. He and Velma served from 1969 to 1973 in Kenya and Somalia as missionaries through Eastern Mennonite Missions, helping to build a school compound and serving as dorm parents. Later in life, he participated in several short-term mission trips with Mennonite Disaster Service in Louisiana and Honduras and served as the Northeast Ohio chapter representative for Global Disciples.

John enjoyed teaching Sunday school, reading, collecting books, detailing cars, and traveling. He had a deep appreciation for foreign cultures and languages and cherished the time he spent helping his grandchildren grow, learn, and succeed. His fun-loving nature and gift for connecting with others meant he never knew a stranger.

He is survived by his loving wife Velma; children Sharon (Joe) McDorman of Mt. Crawford, VA, Kristine (Nelson) Witmer of Salem, Merle (Dorene) Zook of Mount Sidney, VA, and Mark (Kristen) Zook of Orrville; eleven grandchildren, Aaron (Charity) McDorman, Ben (Ashley) McDorman, Andrew Witmer, Alex (Morgan) Witmer, Adam (Liz) Witmer, Matt (Erin) Zook, Kelsey (Jared) Watson, Jacque Zook, Kyle (Tara) Zook, Joel (Jera) Zook, and Ally (Steve) Romero; 16 great-grandchildren; siblings, Marvin (Melva) Zook of Ontario, Canada, Leroy Zook of Narvon, PA, Verna Stoltzfus of Farmersville, PA, Miriam (John) Stoltzfus of Belleville, PA, and Martha Zook of Narvon, PA; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Anthony Zook; sisters Mabel Smoker and Mary Ruth Zook; and brothers-in-law Calvin Smoker and Naaman Stoltzfus.

Friends may call on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Auble Funeral Home, 512 East Oak Street, Orrville, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A celebration of John's life will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Oak Grove Mennonite Church, 7843 Smucker Road, Smithville, with Pastors Joel Zook and Seth Miller officiating. A private family burial will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery in Orrville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Oak Grove Mennonite Church or Ohio's Hospice LifeCare.

Arrangements are entrusted to Auble Funeral Home in Orrville. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.aublefuneralhome.com.