Philip Zent

COLUMBIA CITY - Philip Alan Zent, age 85, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 11:05 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester.

Born on March 4, 1940, in Huntington County, he was the son of Russell and Dorotha (Anderson) Zent.

Phil attended Roanoke High School and graduated with the Class of 1958. While in high school he was involved in sports and music. He played basketball (guard), baseball (pitcher) and ran on the track team (440-yard dash). He was also a member of the band (trombone). He was a Music Education Major in college. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Indiana Central College and a Master of Science Degree from Indiana State University.

On July 21, 1962, Phil married Ruth Ann Gass at Roanoke United Methodist Church. They were married 63 years.

Phil worked as a band director at Brazil High School, East Noble High School and Columbia City High School. He was an assistant golf coach at Columbia City High School. He retired from teaching in 1995, from Whitley County Consolidated Schools.

He was a member of Columbia City United Methodist Church, lifetime member of the National Education Association (NEA), the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA), and longtime member of Whitley County Teachers Association and Indiana Band Masters Association.

Phil played trombone with Dick Brown's Knights on the Town Jazz Band, The Blue River Big Band and Brass Generations Quartet. He played professional trombone with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic during the 1970s.

Phil enjoyed golfing, watching Indiana University Basketball and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann Zent, of Columbia City; children, Scott (Carrie) Zent, of Milford, Indiana, and Jennifer (Randy) Zent-Call, of Milford, Ohio; grandchildren, Callie (Sean) Kemmerer, of Huntington, Ethan (Kellie) Zent, of Choma, Zambia, and Chloe Call, of Milford, Ohio; great-granddaughter, Linkynn Kemmerer; and brother, Stanley Zent, of Gulf Port, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, from 5-7 p.m., at DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Funeral services for Phil will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, with calling one hour prior to the service.

Burial will follow at IOOF Glenwood Cemetery, Roanoke.

Memorial contributions in memory of Phil, may be made to the Columbia City Band program.

Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the online guest register.