Emery L. Zahner

Emery Leon Zahner, 83, of Ellington, peacefully passed away and eternally joined his loving wife Susan on Sunday (June 15, 2025) surrounded by his children, at the home he meticulously and uniquely designed and built. Emery was born and raised in Rockville, CT, on July 25, 1941, to the late John E. Zahner and Ruth(Ludwig) Zahner, graduating from Rockville High School in 1959. Following graduation, Emery honorably served his country in Vietnam as an Army Sergeant, earning military honors for marksmanship and combat. Other than his wife and parents, Emery is also predeceased by his beloved in-laws, siblings, and extended family, including John and Laurel Peters, Ellen and Gene Kupferschmid, Clayton and Marilyn Zahner, Richard Zahner, Charlie Allen, Stu Edwards, and Jenna Binkowski. After Emery honorably served his country, he returned home and wed Susan Peters on March 1, 1969 and he followed in his father's footsteps as a carpenter and co-owner of Zahner's Woodworking with his brother Clayton until 1991, followed by multiple Clerk of the Works and other associated construction liaison positions including, but not limited to, the renovations and/or additions of Windermere School (Ellington), East Windsor High School, Plainville High School, Ellington Middle School, Killingly Intermediate and High School, and the Ellington Hall Memorial Library. During this time, Emery also served the town of Ellington for over 25 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission and Permanent Building Committee, effectively sustaining Ellington's rural charm. Emery leaves his children Keely Lee (Walter) of Ellington and Dalton Zahner (Jennifer Aronne) of Vernon, as well as five adored grandchildren, Fallon and Katie Lee, Teagan, Oliver, and Maeve Zahner. He also leaves his cousin Norine Edwards (Ne-Ne Nazer), brother and sister-in-law John and Darryl Peters (Red) of Eagle Lake, ME, Faith Allen, and best friends Dean and JoAnn Kupferschmid and Dean and Patricia (Patty) Daniel. Emery also leaves his loving and adored nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, extended family relatives, and hunting buddies. When considering that Emery's life was unexpectedly disrupted by a major stroke roughly 19 years ago, the love of his family, UConn basketball, Red Sox baseball, hunting, and in later days, Judge Judy, bird watching, and gardening were persistently present, offering immeasurable value on the embodiment of strength, resilience, perseverance, and life beyond disability to those lucky enough to know him. The family would like to thank the Trusted Angels agency (Daniel and staff), the Department of Veteran's Affairs Home Based Primary Care Program, and ultimately Masonicare hospice services for the care and compassion that was provided to Emery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Emery's honor to the Folds of Honor Charity which provides educational scholarships to children of fallen or disabled US service members and first responders; Department 13, Tulsa, OK 74182 foldsofhonor.org/donate and/or the Midwest Food Bank of New England, 40 Adams Street, Manchester, CT, 06042. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Emery, please visit our floral store.