Z

Updated August 25, 2009

   Zerbe - Decatur Republican February 16, 1946 - Lee Zerbe - Found Dead IN Shack
Lee Zerbe was found dead in his little shack off the Hinkley and Ellis road last Saturday afternoon.
  He had worked for Marine Dees and John DeFeyter on the muck land for the past five years, but laid off during the winter. He was a good faithful workman and they had a friendly interest in his welfare. They had not seen him for a week, had become uneasy about him, and sent John Holt , one of their helpers over to his place to investigate.
  When Lee went away he locked his door with a padlock, when he was at home he bolted himself in. Holt reported that the shack was bolted on the inside but he could get no response to his calls. That was about 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon.
  They summoned Chief Woolfe and forced the door. Lee was found lying face downward on the floor. The men did not go in but came to town and called Coroner Frank Thompson of Paw Paw who came over and released the body to O. W. Newell and Son. No inquest was held. It was thought that he had been dead 5 or 6 days.
  Lee came to the village a week ago Friday, February 9, bought some groceries, but forgot to take them home. The next day he came back for them and returned to his shack in the afternoon. That was the last time he was seen alive.
  Funeral services were held at Newell and Son’s funeral home Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. J. F. Lemke officiated, and burial was in Lakeside cemetery. The American Legion was in charge of the service.
  Lee O. Zerbe was born at Cory, Cass county, Michigan , September 17, 1892. He came to Decatur with his mother and brothers in 1909 and his mother died here in 1919.
  He worked on the muck land from the time he was big enough to work, and he owned ten acres of muck on the Hinkley and Ellis road. He was a veteran of World War I and served a year in the regular Army. He was a good worker, honest and square in his dealings. He is survived by his brothers Dewey of Decatur and John of Rifle, Colorado , and a half brother, Everet Geenacre of Ionia .
Article contributed by: Sandra Zerbe West

Zordel, Albert
The Herald Press carried the obituary of Albert Zordell on 29 Nov 1924: Albert Zordell Died Last Eve Was Proprietor Of Shoe And Harness Shop Here For 42 Years Albert Zordell, for 42 years proprietor of a shoe and harness shop at 607 Ship street, and well known throughout the city, died last night about 11:15 o’clock at the home of a niece, Mrs. C.M. Ruggles of Lincoln avenue. Mr. Zordell was born in Germany, November 24, 1850. He came to this country 53 years ago. Mr. Zordell was unmarried. He is survived by two brothers, August living in Kansas, and Carl in Germany, and a sister, Mrs. Adolph Dombrowski of St. Joseph. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at two o’clock from Ruggles home. The Rev. F.C. Schmidt will officiate. Burial will be in the city cemetery.” On 10 Dec 1924 the following appeared in the Herald Press:
   “Funeral Rites Held For Albert Zordell Funeral services were held this afternoon at two o’clock at the home of Mars. C.M. Ruggles of Lincoln avenue, for Albert Zordell resident here for 42 years, who died on Friday. The Rev. F.C. Schmidt officiated. Burial was in the city cemetery. Miss Ella Adler and George Adler sang ‘Beautiful Isle of Somewhere.’ and ‘Nearer My God to Thee.’ The pallbrearers were Charles and Fred Henspeter, Clyde Dombrowski, Albert Wessendorf and August Weik.”
- Contributed by: William Brackett at brackettwilliam@yahoo.com

Return to the Obituary Name List
Return to the Berrien County Home Page