Eugene "Geno" Zeorian

1936 - 2025

Eugene "Geno" Zeorian

November 29, 1936 - June 17, 2025

Eugene "Geno" Zeorian, 88, passed away in his sleep, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Living Community in St. Joseph, MO. Family members from Nebraska and local friends from King City, MO, where he lived for the last 20 years, were able to visit with him often during his two weeks at the Living Community. His daughter and stepson were with him the night he gave up the fight.

Geno was born November 29, 1936, in Louisville, NE, to Ralph Dewey Zeorian and Thelma Ida (Blodget) Zeorian.

Geno was an outstanding football player at Louisville High School and graduated in 1954. Shortly after high school he and his good friend Larry Welton joined the service together. Geno joined the Marines and was proud of the fact that he was the biggest guy in his platoon, so he was assigned to carry the B.A.R., he also said the bad news was, usually this is the first guy the enemy would try to take out.

When Geno returned from the Marines he had great experience in operating heavy equipment. He received his nickname "Geno", because his boss on his first job did not like yelling, "Eugene" when he was upset with him, and the nickname Geno stuck with him the rest of his life. Geno developed more skills as a heavy equipment operator and was able to operate every piece of equipment used in the industry. He spent many years at Western Sand and Gravel north of Ashland, which formed the lake for what is today's Big Sandy development. He then spent many years at Hopper Brothers Quarry mining rock in two locations around Ashland, which provided the foundation for today's Iron Horse and Quarry Oaks golf courses. He later worked for Martin Marietta managing crews crushing paving and recycling material in several midwestern states.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Zeorian Sr.; mother, Thelma; brother, Ralph Jr "Duke"; sister, Donna Dunnaway; stepson, Matt Martin; great- granddaughter, Addisyn Pfeifer, grandson-in-law, Steve Lott.

Geno was a prolific dancer and spent many hours on the dance floors in Ashland, Memphis, Wahoo, and Lincoln. He married Delores Pierce, who passed away in 1991, and later married Joyce Martin who passed away in 2010.

He is survived by his daughter, Jean Ann Bishop of Gretna; stepsons, Gary Parker (Joanne) of Columbus, Marty Martin (Shelly) of Greenwood and Mike Martin (Pam) of Lincoln; grandchildren, Jason Parker (Janice), Rodney Parker, Wendy Pfeifer, Taylor Kuehl (Bryson), Lexie Jenkins (Cody), Casey Volle (Steve), Robert Martin (Jes), Emily Phelps (Matt), Dakota Martin, Skyler Martin, Spencer Martin and Kayla Lott; step-daughter-in-law, Sherry Martin; many great-grandchildren and other family members.

Visitation, Monday, June 23, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Marcy Mortuary in Ashland, NE. Funeral Service, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at American Lutheran Church, Ashland, NE.

Interment at Ashland Cemetery, Ashland, NE.

Military Honors by the U.S. Marines and American Legion Post #129.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in the name of Eugene Zeorian to Marine Raider Foundation or Wounded Warrior Project.

Visit www.marcysvoboda.com to leave condolences.

Marcy Mortuary, 104 N. 15th Street

Ashland, NE 68003, 402-944-3343