Ernest J. Zeilinger, Jr.

Zeilinger, Ernest J. Jr. "Ernie" Bay City, Michigan Mr. Zeilinger passed away Friday, September 20, 2013 at Bay Shores Nursing Home age 87 years. He was born September 9, 1926 in Bay City to the late Ernest J. and Margaret (Bauer) Zeilinger, Sr. and has resided here all of his life. Ernie was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Frankenlust and the LFA. He was a lifelong farmer and enjoyed fabricating his own equipment. On September 1, 1951 Ernie married the former Wilma C. Appold and she survives his passing along with their six children, Arthur (Jamie) Zeilinger, Richard Zeilinger, Ben Zeilinger, Steven (Peggy) Zeilinger and Joanne Dodson, all of Bay City and Joyce Hamel (John Gillis) of Wind Gap, PA; eight grandchildren, Jessica Zeilinger (Dan Tenbusch), Stephanie (Mario) Guerrero, Denise (Nick) Ruegsegger, Jennifer (David) Zirkle, Matt (Ashley) Zeilinger, Kelly Hamel (Ben Brookhouse), Chelsea Dodson (James Carrier) and Levi Dodson; and three great-grandchildren, Ali and Andrew Zeilinger and Victoria Herrera. Ernie is also survived by a brother, Ferdinand Zeilinger; and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert Appold, Marilyn Appold, Carol Appold, Harold (Mary Lou) Appold and Floyd (Julia) Appold. Besides his parents, Ernie was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, James Dodson; two brothers, Richard Zeilinger and Gerhardt (Matilda) Zeilinger; two sisters, Selma (Christ) Helmreich and Edna (Lloyd) Wicker; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Arlene Zeilinger, Edwin (Malinda) Appold, Ralph Appold, Loren Appold and Alice Appold. Funeral Services will take place Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Frankenlust. Officiating will be Rev. Paul D. Theiss with interment following in the Church Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Monday from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. Mr. Zeilinger will be taken to the church on Tuesday to lie in state from 1:00 p.m. and until the time of service. Memorial cards for St. Paul Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Hospice Advantage or Bay Shores Senior Care & Rehab Center will be available at the funeral home. www.gephartfuneralhome.com