Obituary:
Robert G. Zolnosky, 88, of Webster City, died Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at Hamilton Hospital. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Congregational-U.C.C., with Rev. Howard Hunt officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be two hours before the service, at the church. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post # 191 at the church.
Robert Gerald Zolnosky, son of Allen and Hilda Hammond, was born September 2, 1919 at Webster City. He received his education in Webster City schools, graduating from Lincoln High in 1937. He worked as assistant manager at F.W. Woolworth and J. J. Newberry. In 1940, he enter the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from aircraft mechanic and instrument schools at Rantoul, IL. He was assigned to Moffitt Field at Chico, CA. In 1943, he was transferred to the China-Burma-India Theatre of Action, serving with the Air Transport Command returning to the U.S. in July 1945. At the rank of staff sergeant, he was discharged at Greensboro, NC on October 1, 1945. He married Maxine Zeiger in 1945 at Webster City. They were later divorced. Following his discharge, he attended Elgin Watchmaking College, then returned to Webster City, where heworked with his father at Zolnosky Jewelery until 1980 and also worked with his brother at Zolnosky’s until 1982. On June 25, 1966, he married Vyda Grace Beightol Knight at Webster City. The couple resided in Webster City. Mrs.Zolnosky died March 6, 1977. In 1985, he married Rose Deakman. They moved to Oklahoma City where Bob worked as a watchmaker for the Zale Corporation for 4 years. He then worked as a contract watchmaker for Ben Hawkins. In 1989, they returned to Webster City and he retired from the jewelery business. For 2 years, he worked for L. A. Den Hartog, as a charter pilot. Rose and Bob were divorced in 1994. He continued to reside at Webster City.
Bob is survived by son, Ron Mason of Moore, OK; daughter-in-law, Gina Johnson of Oklahoma City, OK; granddaughters, Jennifer Hall of Moore; Ronni Mason of Eugene, OR; grandson, Shane Mason of Oklahoma City; special friend Inez Burckle; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dr. Ralph and Ardys Zolnosky of Sac City; Richard and DeLoris Zolnosky of Norfolk, NE; Rev. Michael and Linda Zolnosky of Racine, WI; sister, Marilyn Daggett of Minneapolis, MN; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Deloris Wilhelm and brother-in-law, Jack Daggett.
He was a member of the First Congregational Church-U.C.C., American Legion Post # 191, held former memberships in Acacia Masonic Lodge, Webster City Moose Lodge and Civil Air Patrol.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA, 24 Jan 2008
Robert Gerald Zolnosky was born Sept. 2, 1919 to Allen R. and Hilda L. Hammond Zolnosky. He died Jan. 23, 2008 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Robert graduated from Lincoln High School, Webster City, IA in 1937 and entered the U.S. Air Force in 1940. He graduated from aircraft mechanic and instrument schools at Rantoul, IL and was assigned to Moffitt Field at Chico, CA. In 1943, he was transferred to the China-Burma-India Theatre of Action, serving with the Air Transport Command. He was discharged at the rank of Staff Sgt. in 1945.
Sources: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA; ancestry.com
