Ronald C. Zehr

WEST CARTHAGE — Ronald C. Zehr, 90, of 25 N. Main St., died Saturday, December 10, 2011, in the Lewis County General Hospital, Lowville where he has resided in the nursing home since August of 2010.

Mr. Zehr was born in Croghan on August 21, 1921, the son of the late James and Alice Kieffer Zehr. He was a graduate of Fr. Leo Memorial School. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II from July of 1942 to October of 1945, mainly in the South Pacific. He worked at the family’s gas station and also operated a restaurant in Croghan. He married the former Barbara J. Burke on November 8, 1947 at St. Stephen’s Church in Croghan with the Rev. Amadeus Burke officiating. The couple moved to Carthage in 1953 where Ron was a millright for 35 years with the former Crown Zellerbach Corp. and James River Corp. in Carthage. Mrs. Zehr died on November 14, 1994.

Ron was a member of St. James Catholic Church and a former member of Carlowden Country Club.

He was an avid golfer and enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling.

He is survived by two daughters: Rhonda Zehr and her companion, Ronald O’Dett of Deer River and Cynthia Davide and her husband Anthony of Rochester, two sons and their wives; James and Marguerite Zehr of Watertown and Robert and Eleanor Zehr of Dexter, 13 Grandchildren and 30 Great Grandchildren, one sister: Vanetha Houppert of Croghan and several nieces and nephews. Three brothers, Sherman, Guy and Willard and two sisters, Helen Coakley and Margaret Thomas died previous.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 AM at St. James Church with the Rev. George F. Maroun, Pastor officiating. Burial with military honors will be in St. Stephens Cemetery, Croghan. Calling hours at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home will be on Monday from 4-7pm.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Heritage Fund of St. James Church or the Carthage Area Rescue Squad.