Louis F. Zehner

Mr. Louis Francis Zehner, age 89 of McDonough, GA passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Lou was born on April 3, 1926, the son of Louis Christian and Mary Veronica Zehner. Lou grew up in Baltimore, MD where he attended Catholic schools. He joined the Navy during WWII after securing his father's permission due to age requirements. Lou met his future wife, Jacqueline Holt in 1949. They were wed at St. Joseph's Church in Baltimore on January 21, 1950. He went to work for a LP gas conversion company that required moving the young family throughout the northeast and Canada. The family settled in Perry Hall, Maryland when their first child entered second grade. He continued to work conversion spending time with crews in New Jersey, where he bought the first family house in 1963 and relocated the family. In the sixties, he went to work for Caloric Corp. as a service representative. In 1968 he transferred to Georgia and he moved his wife and seven children to Decatur, GA. He became an award winning sales representative admired for his business skills and friendliness. He retired from Caloric in 1987. Jackie became incapacitated in 1979. Lou devoted his time and energy to caring for his wife. His commitment was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. He showed by example how a man treats those he loves. He had an innate genius that allowed him to take broken mechanical objects and repair and restore them to better than new condition. His hobby was photography with an interest in home video capturing snapshots of his growing family. Through his travels in LP conversion and years in the appliance business, Lou built-up an assortment of friends who will remember him fondly and will miss him. Lou's greatest joy came from being with his family. He arranged annual trips to the beach, excursions to Disney World, and get-togethers at the family lake house. He ensured that birthdays were remembered and that Thanksgiving and Christmas were special family events for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie Zehner; parents, Louis and Mary Zehner; daughter, Diane Zehner; and son-in-law, Jim McInturff. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy and Mike Kozee, Julie McInturff, Chris and Scott Elarbee, Laura and Mike Johnson; sons and daughters-in-law, Louis W. and Jan Zehner, Curtis W. and Wendy Zehner, David S. and Dana Zehner; 20 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sister, Laura Zehner Knickman; nieces and nephews, Laura Ann and David Thurston, Don and Leslie Christopher. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Crosspoint Christian Church, 4550 Highway 20 SE, Conyers, GA 30013 with Rev. Curt Zehner, Rev. Dave Riley and Curtis Zehner officiating. Contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research www.michaeljfox.org. Condolences may be submitted on-line at www.scotward.com. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Road, Conyers, GA 30012, 770-483-7216.

Louis F. Zehner

April 3, 1926 - May 20, 2015