In Memoriam June 2019
Chester Ault
Chester V. Ault, 104, of Chattanooga, Tenn., was born in 1914 in Cedar Bluff, Ala.
He was a longtime resident of Chattanooga, where his many ventures included founding a chain of Ault Hardware and Appliance stores, developing North Crest Estates on Missionary Ridge and managing Ault Properties, where he worked until his death.
Mr. Ault came into international prominence in 1971 while he and his first wife, Katie, were managing the harness racing stable of the Dave L. Brown Trust. It was under their leadership that Steady Star became the fastest harness horse in the world (TT1:52) and held that record for nine years. In 1997, both the horse and Mr. Ault were featured in Sports Illustrated and on CNN.
During his lifetime, Mr. Ault was a member of First Centenary United Methodist Church, the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, Fairyland Club, the Walden Club and the Dahlia Society. He was a former member of the Brainerd Kiwanis Club and the Jaycees.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Wilbanks Ault; daughter, Cathie Ault Kasch; grandchildren, Katie Kasch Bien (Keith) and Andrew David Kasch; great-grandchildren, Zoë Kasch, Mia Kasch, Tala Bien and Silas Bien; stepchildren, Robert Wilbanks and Emmaly Wilbanks Manuel (Joe); and step-
grandchildren, Meredith Manuel, Wil Manuel and Mary Melissa Manuel. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Katie Brown Ault; son, Van Robert; sister, Catherine Ault Gill; and brother, Hugh Sr.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Centenary United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 208, Chattanooga, TN 37401.
Ronald Barker
Ronald D. Barker, 79, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on March 25, 2019.
Mr. Barker was born in Idaho, Ohio, on June 25, 1939, to Ishmael and Anna (Russell) Barker. He attended Piketon and Waverly schools until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served for six years. After leaving the Navy, he married the love of his life, Donna Lee Tussey, on Aug. 8, 1961. They raised four sons and three daughters.
He retired from WearEver Aluminum in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he was a factory worker. Upon retiring, he pursued his passion of racing Standardbreds with his family.
He owned, trained and drove Standardbreds for many years. He passed the reins to his family, leaving the training and driving to his children and grandchildren. He still enjoyed owning several horses and going to the races, and always loved to go to the horse sales.
Mr. Barker was well-known for having a used auto parts business and loved wheeling and dealing in anything cars, a passion he passed on to his kids.
Some of his favorite pastimes included watching Westerns and trashy talk shows, having heated debates with his youngest granddaughter Jai about anything and everything, and going to dinner with his wife and/or family. He will be deeply missed by his family.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; brother, Don; sisters, Nancy Trent and Sunny Hutton; sons, Ronnie (Brenda), Shawn (Melissa), Tony (Kristi) and Dustin (Jamie); daughters, Nina (Mike) Howard, Becky (Tony) Zubkoff and Angie (Justin Hall); grandchildren, Emily Peterson, Shantell Poolaw, Jessie Williams, Crystal Fyffe, Missy Francis, Derrick Howard, Shawn “Two,” Seth Flannery, Josh Flannery, Ali Porter, Leslie, Karri Michael, Brittani, Tyler, Gabbi Depew, Lindsay Cutright, Austin, Summer Zubkoff, Morgan, Landon, Justin “Bub” Hall and Jai Hall; many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and his favorite dog, Poopsie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Ishmael; stepfather, Clayton Johnson; stepmother, Sophie; daughter, Karyn Peterson; sister, Nina Murray; and brothers, Tommy and Johnny.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Ronald David Barker Family, c/o Haller Funeral Home, 1661 Western Ave., Chillicothe, OH 45601.
Morte Prentiss Bedford III
Morte Prentiss Bedford III, 59, died on March 25, 2019, at Compass Regional Hospice in Centreville, Md.
Born on March 24, 1960, in Salisbury, Md., Mr. Bedford was the son of Shirley Greenwood and the late Morte Bedford Jr. He grew up in Centreville and attended Queen Anne’s County High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1981 and was honorably discharged in 1995.
Mr. Bedford found his calling when he began to work with racehorses as a groom, trainer and owner. He was also a volunteer for the Goodwill Fire Company Inc., where he held the rank of EMS captain. He was then hired by the Queen Anne’s County Department of Emergency Services as an EMT-1.
On Dec. 23, 1981, Mr. Bedford married the love of his life, Nancy Dawn Davis. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren, as well as hunting, NASCAR and football.
He is survived by his wife; children, Heather M. Slaughter, Whitney and Morte IV; grandchildren, Aubrie, Morte, Mason, Macie, Michael, Liam and London; his mother; sisters, Karen Sadler, Kathy and Bessie; and brother, James. He was preceded in death by another brother, John.
Chaplain Kelly Blanton
Chaplain Kelly Blanton, 90, of Miami Lakes, Fla., died March 12, 2019.
Mr. Blanton served as the first executive director for the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America in the 1970s. In that capacity, he spent the summer of 1976 at Rockingham Park helping Chaplain Lee Alphen establish her ministry there.
Mr. Blanton spent his life serving the Lord in missions, pastoring churches, and as chaplain at several racetracks. Most recently, he was chaplain at Pompano Park Raceway. The horsemen
and -women there loved his weekly Bible study.
Mr. Blanton and his wife, Jacqueline, enjoyed many exciting adventures. He adored his daughter, Rolline; son, Tommy; two grandchildren; twin great-grandsons; and a great-granddaughter.
Edward B. Carter
Edward B. Carter, 77, died at home on April 12, 2019.
Mr. Carter was born Sept. 6, 1941, in Lakeville, Conn., the son of Edward T. and Virginia (Kimble) Carter.
He graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, Conn., in 1959. He attended Oliver Wolcott trade school in Torrington, Conn., and became a plumber for the Connecticut Plumbers Union. He then worked for Perotti & Son before becoming a self-employed plumber.
He was a member and past officer of the Empire Driving Club.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting. He loved horses and harness racing, which he was involved in since 1978. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
On April 7, 2001, in Churchtown, N.Y., he married Debbie L. (Miller) Carter. She survives him at home. In addition to his loving wife, survivors include his daughters, Tonya (Charles) and Lynn (Carl) Brandt; sons, Jeremy (Angela) Brandt and Justin; grandchildren, Connor Simmons, Brooke Simmons, Corie Miller and Trenton Brandt; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Edward Blair Jr. in 1968; sister, Dale Huggins; and brother, Peter.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (www.adoptahorse.org) or the Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program (www.facebook.com/purplehazestandardbredadoptionprogram).
John W. Conquest Jr.
John W. Conquest Jr., 72, died at his home on April 14, 2019, with his family by his side.
The son of the late John William and Anita Hughes Conquest, Mr. Conquest was born March 28, 1947, in Nassawadox, Va. He graduated from Hargrave Military Academy in 1965 and continued his education at Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, Del., and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.
A third-generation farmer, Mr. Conquest spent more than half his life farming. Although growing crops was his passion, he enjoyed raising Angus cattle and showing and racing horses. Mr. Conquest played a vital role in the foundation of the Eastern Shore Agri-Fair in the 1980s and was a 4-H leader in northern Accomack County.
Since the mid-1990s, Mr. Conquest managed the grounds maintenance at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, and the Navy Surface Combat Systems Center, both on Wallops Island in Virginia.
Mr. Conquest was a longtime active member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 12-06, serving more than 30 years with distinction in various division and flotilla leadership positions. As captain of the Eastern Shore’s Division 12, he was responsible for the five Eastern Shore flotillas and their 170 members. Mr. Conquest received numerous awards, including four Coast Guard Unit Commendations, and four Sustained Auxiliary Service Awards.
Mr. Conquest had a passion for boating safety, devoting hundreds of hours teaching classes in safe boating to countless boaters, and conducting vessel safety checks for both recreational and commercial fishing vessels. His role in Eastern Shore boating safety was significant to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and those on the waters of the Eastern Shore.
An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Conquest spent endless hours hunting waterfowl and fishing the waters of the Eastern Shore and the Chesapeake Bay. He was a longtime member of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Ducks Unlimited Chapter and Eastern Shore Anglers Club; was instrumental in developing the annual Kids’ Day fishing outings in Saxis and Morley’s Wharf; and was the organizer and captain of the Assawoman Anglers Surf Fishing Team.
Whether it was his membership on the board of trustees at Temperanceville United Methodist Church, or his involvement in his family’s business, John W. Taylor Packing Company, Mr. Conquest was a dedicated worker who contributed to his community. He will always be remembered for the time that he spent with and the love that he had for his family. His love, kindness and service will be missed by all.
Mr. Conquest is survived by his wife, Janie; daughters, Beth Onley and Amy (Dyke) Taylor; grandchildren, Cole Charnock, Ryan Charnock, Ashley Charnock, Caroline Taylor and Lauren Taylor; and great-granddaughter, Loralei Mason Charnock.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Atlantic Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co., P.O. Box 207, Atlantic, VA 23303.
Stephanie D. Cruise
Stephanie D. Cruise, a resident of Margate, Fla., died at the age of 62.
Ms. Cruise was born on April 9, 1956, in New York to Stephen and Marguerita (DiMenna) Gerenser. She raised one son, Kash, and one daughter, Kelly. She first started working with horses at Roosevelt Raceway in 1972 and would spend the rest of her life working with and caring for them.
Ms. Cruise had a gregarious personality, which led to her making close connections with everyone she came in contact with. She took great pride in providing the best nurturing care to every life she touched, including those of animals. She was best-known for her infectious smile; contagious laughter; and outgoing, straightforward nature.
She is survived by her son, Kash (Kristeen); daughter, Kelly (John) Ribeiro; sister, Margaret (George) Vossinas; and four grandchildren whom she adored: Sophie and Brady Cruise, and Alyssa and Kayla Ribeiro. She was also survived by several loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ms. Cruise’s name to Tradewinds Farm Hands Inc., 3600 West Sample Rd., Coconut Creek, FL 33073, or to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (www.adoptahorse.org).
Sylvester DeCample
Longtime trainer and driver Sylvester DeCample, 76, died March 20, 2019, in Freehold, N.J.
Mr. DeCample recorded 1,231 wins as a driver, with his horses earning more than $3.4 million. As a trainer, he recorded 323 victories and more than $1.2 million in purses.
Charles Fitzpatrick Jr.
Charles Fitzpatrick Jr., a proud USTA member and son of prominent horseman Charles J. Fitzpatrick, died suddenly on April 13, 2019.
Mr. Fitzpatrick leaves behind his niece, Arden Dahl, daughter of prominent horseman Gerald Dahl and Bonnie Fitzpatrick Dahl.
Mr. Fitzpatrick was a lifelong member of the horse racing community and was passionate about the sport.
Mark D. Fransen
Mark D. Fransen, 64, of Big Rock, Ill., died March 28, 2019, at his home.
Mr. Fransen was born Aug. 21, 1954, in Mendota, Ill., to Logan and Cecil (Carney) Fransen.
He trained two horses that were inducted into the IHHA Hall of Fame: Plum Peachy (1995) and Broadway Preview (2001). Plum Peachy also earned honors as 1990 Illinois Horse of the Year. He also trained the winners of nine Super Night races in Chicago; four winners of the prestigious Maywood Pace; Illinois State Fair champions Buck And Wing and Skipalong Misty; and horses which set track records at Sportsman’s Park, Maywood Park, Balmoral Park, Quad City Downs and the Illinois State Fair.
Mr. Fransen was known to racing fans across the state for his versatility as a trainer. His multi-faceted skill set enabled him to excel with colts and fillies, trotters and pacers, and stakes colts and older horses.
He is survived by his daughter, Melanie; sister, Sandy (Stephen) Arkels; and brother, Terry (Ellen). He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gary; and sister, Judy.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family in Mr. Fransen’s name, c/o Resource Bank – Main Branch, 555 Bethany Rd., DeKalb, IL 60115.
Gary Hammer
Gary C. Hammer, 74, of Bedford, Pa., died April 7, 2019, at home.
Mr. Hammer was born in Bedford on March 9, 1945, the son of the late Clay J. and E. Blanche (Gohn) Hammer.
He worked for his brother, Roger, as a Standardbred trainer.
He was affiliated with the Pleasant Hill Bible Church.
He is survived by his siblings, Robert C., Gail (Mike) Welsh, Roger, Leon and Doris Ann Harrington; nieces, Karen, Amy and Misti; and nephew, Rodney. He was preceded in death by his sister, Kay; and brother, Warren.
Memorial contributions may be made by visiting www.geiselfuneral.com.
Dorothy Haughton
Dorothy “Dottie” Haughton, 87, the widow of the late Hall of Famer Billy Haughton, died April 1, 2019.
The First Lady of harness racing was a genuine, lovely person, full of grace and class, with a sincere love of the sport and an enormous capacity to handle its ups and downs.
A self-described homemaker, mother and grandmother, Mrs. Haughton was a trustee of the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame since 1982. She maintained the beautiful gardens and grounds at her home in Newfields, N.H., until her passing.
Mrs. Haughton grew up watching her father, Whitney Bischoff, race horses at the fairs around the Goshen, N.Y., area. He was also a judge at Yonkers Raceway. One day he invited a talented 27-year-old horseman named Bill Haughton home for dinner. Bill invited 19-year-old Dottie to the track to jog a horse. About a month later, they were married.
The years sped by, the horses got better, the purses more lucrative and harness racing became big league. The Haughton family grew to include five children: sons, Bill Jr., Peter, Tom and Cammie, and daughter, Holley.
Green Speed was one of the Haughtons’ many standouts, as well as Meadow Elva, a champion filly pacer, whose success helped Dottie get over an illness. But her all-time favorite was Keystone Pioneer, one of the sport’s great trotting fillies. A trotter named Peter Campbell was a favorite—they named their first child after him. Peter’s middle name, Delvin, was in honor of good friend Delvin Miller.
Of all the awards she had received through the years, Mrs. Haughton regarded her 1964 “Mother of the Year” as the best of them all.
Sports Illustrated presented her with an Award of Merit and the U.S. Harness Writers Association presented her with its Good Guy Award.
Mrs. Haughton’s gardening talents saw her win the Sweepstakes Award for Horticulture and Artistic Design five times.
Mrs. Haughton is survived by her three sons, all of whom have been involved with harness racing—Tommy, a trainer; Cammie, a racing official; and Bill Jr., who works in livestock insurance; her daughter, Holley; several grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Carl Jacobs
Carl W. Jacobs, 87, from Hamlin, N.Y., died peacefully at home on Nov. 28, 2018.
He owned several Standardbreds that raced at Batavia Downs and Buffalo Raceway for more than 35 years.
Mr. Jacobs is survived by his brother, Alonzo (Jeanette); nieces and nephews, Diane (Wendell) Grimm, Gail, Mark, Laura (Dennis) O’Donnell and Renee (Doug) Fedeli; and many great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth; and his sister, Evelyn Cross.
George Karam
George J. Karam, 60, died April 16, 2019.
Born on Sept. 4, 1958, in Rome, N.Y., Mr. Karam was the son of the late George B. and Elizabeth (Abounader) Karam. He was a 1976 graduate of Rome Free Academy and for many years ran the family business, Thrifty Food Store.
On Dec. 5, 1997, he married his love, Joy Rolewicz, and together they moved to Saratoga Springs.
Mr. Karam had a lifelong passion for harness racing and horse ownership which led to a career in training and racing horses in upstate New York. He also served as president of the Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association. This in turn led to his dream job of judging harness races. At the time of his passing, he was the presiding judge at Yonkers Raceway.
Family was everything to Mr. Karam and his love, passion and special bond with his son, Brandon, was undeniable. His greatest joy was watching him excel in The Voice of the Saints and following all the local sports at Saratoga Catholic Central, which Brandon attends.
Survivors include his wife, Joy; beloved son, Brandon; brothers, Douglas (Fredice) and Joseph (Jennifer); sister, Genevieve (Frank) Tallarino; sister-in-law, Jill (Henry) Koziarz; stepmother, Madeline; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to an education fund set up for Brandon R. Karam, c/o Catskill Hudson Bank, 2452 State Route 9, Suite 104, Malta, NY 12020.
Paul McCune
Equine veterinarian Paul E. McCune, 59, of Cedar Lake, Ind., died at home on March 24, 2019.
Dr. McCune was born on June 11, 1959, in Alliance, Neb., to Dee and Dorothy (O’Keefe) McCune, who preceded him in death. Following his high school graduation from St. Agnes Academy, Dr. McCune earned degrees from the universities of Nebraska and Minnesota, becoming a veterinarian in 1985.
Dr. McCune settled in northwest Indiana, where he established Illiana Equine Clinic in 1991. People relied on him for his compassionate care on and off the racetrack. His free time was spent with family, traveling, and anything to do with sports. He was a longtime member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Cedar Lake.
Dr. McCune is survived by his wife of 22 years, Debbie; son, Kyle; daughter, Brooke; and brothers, Dan (Jo), Martin and Patrick. He was preceded in death by his sister, Deanne, and her husband, Wade Ellis, who left two sons, Dan and Michael, to grow up in his childhood home; and his older brother, David.
Edward “Doc” Mersky
Edward “Doc” Mersky, 89, of Manheim Township, Pa., and formerly of Strasburg, died on March 25, 2019. He was born in Philadelphia to the late Jacob Mersky and Adeline Porter.
Dr. Mersky celebrated 68 years of marriage with his wife Orpha M. (Yoder) Mersky on Feb. 3.
A graduate of New Holland High School, class of 1947, Dr. Mersky was an all-star athlete in both baseball and basketball, drafted out of high school by the Brooklyn Dodgers. He played for the Dodgers farm team in Vero Beach, Fla., before injuring his throwing arm and requesting release.
After his two-year stint with the Dodgers, he was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps and served as an MP at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the Korean War. Following two years of service and honorable discharge, Dr. Mersky returned to school for seven years, completing his pre-med studies at F&M College in three years and thereafter receiving his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
Known as “the horse vet from Strasburg,” Dr. Mersky opened his solo veterinary practice on Miller Street in 1961, treating both large and small animals. He eventually transitioned to caring for horses only, which was his true passion. He retired from equine veterinary medicine after 47 years of practice.
Dr. Mersky served on the State Board of Veterinary Medicine and, through his expertise in the equine field, served as a consultant. Following his passion for horses, he also gave riding lessons.
He was an avid sports fan his entire life and enjoyed many family vacations in Stone Harbor, N.J.
In addition to his wife, Orpha, Dr. Mersky is survived by their children, Dianne Mersky Martin, Suzanne, Steven and David; grandchildren, Tony (Kim Suess) Almodovar, Lori Almodovar, Ben and Dylan Kyer; great-grandchildren, Shawnee, Shae, Cole, Morgan and Hannah; and great-great-grandchildren, Kaylor and Destinee.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Mersky was preceded in death by his brother, Arthur; and son-in-law, William “Billy” Beschel.
Memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Mersky’s honor to the New Bolton Center (www.vet.upenn.edu/veterinary-hospitals/NBC-hospital).
Orville A. Rursch
Orville A. Rursch, 85, of Taylor Ridge, Ill., died April 23, 2019, at UnityPoint Health Trinity Rock Island in Rock Island, Ill.
Mr. Rursch was born on March 20, 1934, in Edgington, the son of Addison and Edith (Johnston) Rursch. He married the former Nancy Lea McGinnis on June 26, 1955, in Joy Methodist Church.
He had farmed all his adult life. Earlier he had been the owner of Rursch Trucking and had a Minneapolis Moline Implement dealership with his brothers.
He was a Future Farmers of America supporter and a member of the Edgington Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Andalusia Masonic Lodge 516, the Illinois Farm Bureau, the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, the Illinois Standardbred Owners & Breeders Association, and the USTA.
Mr. Rursch was an avid Rockridge High School athletic supporter, plus enjoyed harness racing, dinners out with family, and coffee with friends at local coffee shops.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy; children, Debbie Tomlin and Dave (Shay); grandchildren, Matthew (Elisabeth) and Brandon Tomlin; great-grandchildren, Nataleigh, Addyson, Rayce Tomlin, Lance and Lucas Bagwell; brothers, Marvin (Denise), Donald (JoAnn) and John Robert (Dorothy); sister-in-law, Shirley; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Addison and Edith; brothers, Duane and Clair S.; and sisters, Lois and Nels Anderson.
Memorial contributions may be made at wheelanpressly.com.
Mary Sewell
Mary Sewell, 78, died recently. She was the booking administrator for Brittany Farms Stallion Management for 21 years and took a leave of absence in March 2017 because of health issues.
Mrs. Sewell spent more than 40 years of her life in the Standardbred horse business. She was the office manager for three farms and did pedigree research and writing for Pedi-Type.
Her husband, Bob, who passed away in October 2018, was the stallion manager at Almahurst Farms and farm manager at Fair Chance and Killydonnell Farms in Ohio.
Mrs. Sewell helped administer the stallion careers of Artsplace, Artiscape, Valley Victory, Life Sign, Real Desire, Glidemaster, American Ideal and many more.
She leaves behind two sons, Dean (Peggy) and David; two granddaughters; and four great-grandchildren.
She was born in Ohio and leaves behind many friends in Ohio and around the country. She was always a pleasure to work with and was truly a great friend who would do anything for you. She loved to cook and travel to Ohio to see her friends. She loved the Standardbred business and the Red Mile and its people, which she dedicated her life to.
E. John Spindler
E. John Spindler, 89, died March 7, 2019, at his home in Owosso, Mich.
Mr. Spindler, the son of August and Janette Spindler, was born July 13, 1929, in Bad Axe, Mich. He graduated from Bad Axe High School—where his love for harness racing began—in 1947 before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Michigan University. After serving in Korea as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he attended Michigan State University, where he earned his Master of Education in 1960.
Mr. Spindler was a member of the First Congregational Church of Owosso as well as Kiwanis, the USTA and the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association. He was involved in the Boy Scouts of America and was proud to be a sheriff deputy for the Shiawassee County Animal Control.
Mr. Spindler married Joan Spindler (née Shoemaker) on Feb. 26, 1955, in Bad Axe. He was a teacher at Owosso High School and a referee and coach for various sports prior to becoming principal of Bryant Elementary School for 30 years, where he was a mentor to teachers and students alike.
He bred and trained many trotters and pacers who competed at Michigan county fairs and pari-mutuel racetracks. He wintered and trained his homebreds at Pompano Park with the Michael Deters stable for many years, earning the nickname “Owosso Flash”— and that same name was later bestowed on a pacing gelding who is currently racing in Pennsylvania and New York.
Two of his daughters, Janet and Jeri, followed his love for the sport, having their own racing stables for a time.
Mr. Spindler is survived and will be missed by his wife, Joan; children, John C. and Janet (Elissa Pryor); grandchildren, Cameron, Samuel and Natalie Gouloose; and many other loving friends and family. He was preceded in death by daughters, Jeri and Jennifer (Gouloose).
Wilbur R. “Bun” Zendt
Wilbur R. “Bun” Zendt, 99, of Mifflintown, Pa., died April 12, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family.
Born March 7, 1920, in Walker Township, Juniata County, he was a son of the late Howard and Sylvia (Lauver) Zendt. His wife, Kathryn (Cleck) Zendt, whom he married March 29, 1941, died on Oct. 31, 2003.
A farmer all his life, Mr. Zendt also trained and drove Standardbreds from 1949 until recently.
He was a member of Centre Lutheran Church and also attended Cedar Grove BIC Church. He was also a member of Walker Grange.
Mr. Zendt enjoyed playing the keyboard, hunting, traveling, spending time with his family, and drinking coffee with his friends at “the barn.”
He is survived by his children, Cinda (Larry) Lauver, William W. (Leslie) and Jan (Joe) Lauver; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers.
Please send obituaries to In Memoriam, Hoof Beats, 6130 S. Sunbury Rd., Westerville, OH 43081-9309. You can also send them by email to news@ustrotting.com, or by fax to 844.229.1338 (toll free U.S. and Canada) or 614.224.4575 (outside the U.S. and Canada). Obituaries are subject to editing for clarity and space.