Walter T. Zombeck

Walter T. Zombeck, 98, born in Windber, PA to Jacob and Nellie Zombeck, both immigrants from Poland, lived there with many beloved brothers and sisters. He loved baseball, and played left field. He joined the Navy when he turned 18 to serve in WWII, and was trained as a gunner in the Navy Armed Guard, serving until 1946. He later moved to Michigan, where other family members had come for work. He attended the Detroit College of Business, where he met the love of his life, Mary Lou. They married and purchased a house in Dearborn Hts., MI, living there for the rest of their lives. They had one child, Bonnie, who was very cherished and loved. He worked for Ford Motor Co. faithfully from 1955 until his retirement in 1986. He and Mary Lou were very avid and loyal fans of Ford cars. He enjoyed serving and was very active at St. Sebastian Church (now St. Maria Goretti), serving as an usher there for over 40 years, and leading the first 10 years of their church festivals. He had 3 passionate hobbies, in which he was very active after retirement: golf, woodworking, and reupholstery. He built a wood shop in his garage, and made many things for his family and friends. He took reupholstery classes at the Eaton Senior Center in Dearborn Hts., and restored many pieces for others. Golf was a favorite sport…he played in a league with coworkers from Ford, and later with friends from church. They took many golfing trips to Copper Harbor and Myrtle Beach, as well as some pilgrimages to Conyers, Georgia. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou, his 4 sisters (Antoinette, Anna, Sophie, and Mary), and 8 brothers (John, Andrew, Joseph, Edward, Frank, Stanley, Leo, and Jacob.) He is survived by his daughter Bonnie and her spouse Robert O’Connor, sister-in-law Shirley Zombeck, and many other nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.

He will be greatly missed and remembered lovingly, but we know that God will keep him in His hands!

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Fish and Loaves Food Pantry in Taylor, MI, or the local St. Vincent de Paul through St. Maria Goretti Church.

Visitation will take place at The Martenson Family of Funeral Homes, Allen Park Chapel on Friday, January 31 from 2:00 until 9:00 pm. A military honor guard service will begin at 6:00 pm, and a rosary will start at 6:30 pm. The funeral service will take place on Saturday, February 1, at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church where Walter will lie instate from 9:30 until mass begins at 10:00 am. Burial will take place immediately after at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery.