Alvin J. Zoeller

Alvin J. Zoeller, 99, of Fostoria, passed away Monday, March 7, 2016, in Fostoria. He was born Feb. 16, 1917, in New Riegel, to the late John and Augusta (Gosche) Zoeller. He married his sweetheart, Ursula L. Meyer, Nov. 17, 1945, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fremont and she preceded him in death April 1, 2011. Alvin is survived by his children, Kathleen Follett of Fostoria, Alan (Diane) Zoeller of Columbus, Ronald (Ann) Zoeller of Kansas, Sharon Zoeller of Fostoria and Anita Carter of Fostoria: nine grandchildren, Steven Follett and Dustin (Jill) Follett, Kelly (Matt) Strausbaugh, Kim (Steve) Johnson, Kristen (Aaron) Bomer, Katie (Terrance) Ward, Ron (Maria) Carter, Tonia Carter and Candice (Jesus) Vasquez; 19 great-grandchildren, Dakota, Shelby, Cameron, Allison, Abbey, Kelsey, Morgan, Zoe, Ethan, Grant, Sophia, Bryceson, Brynn, Caleb, Jade, Alex, Karina, Maya and Lilyana. He also was preceded in death by sisters, Rita Maurer-Ford and Esther Theis, and a brother, Wilfred Zoeller. He was a 1935 graduate of New Riegel High School, where he played baseball on the first team that went to state. In June 1941, he was called to serve his county, for which we are a grateful nation, and earned the rank of staff sergeant in the 5th Air Force when in Australia He went with his son on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in 2011. He was a member of the Eagles in Fostoria and the New Riegel American Legion Post No. 354. Alvin worked for Hydecker-Davis for 35 cents per hour at the age of 18. He was an inspector for (Auto-Lite Foundry) Chrysler Foundry in Fostoria and financial secretary of Local Union 446 and a member of CAP council of region 2B. He represented workers with their worker’s comp claims for 47 years, handling cases for the injured in various plants. For more than 25 years, he was involved with starting the credit union at the foundry. He had served 10 years as president of Fostoria City Council; St. Wendelin Church Council; 13 years as a board member of Seneca County Board of Elections; and manager/treasurer of the UAW Fellowship Hall. In his retirement years, Alvin co-directed a Fostoria tour group, which he enjoyed with Ursula. In addition, during the years, he was very active with the Democratic Party on the local level and within Seneca County. He was president of American Cancer Society during the 10 years that he served. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2016, at Hoening Funeral Home, 242 W. Tiffin St., Fostoria, where a wake service will begin at 3:45 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Wendelin Catholic Church, Fostoria, where a rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Wendelin Catholic Cemetery, Fostoria, where the New Riegel American Legion will provide military honors. Memorial contributions are requested to St. Wendelin Parish, American Cancer Society or Autism Society of Northwest Ohio. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to www.hoeningfuneralhome.com.