×

WILLIAM HENRY CHARLES ZERBST

William Henry Charles Zerbst, 98, was received into the arms of his Savior Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018 at Turning Brook.

Bill was born May 28, 1920 in Chicago to William Dietrich and Margaret (Burkhardt) Zerbst. He enlisted in the Army where he served our country from 1942 to 1946 in the 804th Signal Corps Company. Bill met Arlene Weinkauf while the two of them were in the service and later married on March 25, 1944 in New York. After WWII had ended the two of them moved to Alpena where Bill worked for Weinkauf Heating, at the Tannery, and at Besser Company before owning and operating Adams Book and Gift Shoppe with Arlene for 32 years. After Arlene’s death, he married Ruth Wegmeyer on Nov. 7, 1992. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday school, led services at Provincial House, and volunteered his time doing maintenance work for many years for the church and school. As a Gideon, Bill shared the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus to others.

Bill is survived by his daughters; Kaylyn (Rev. Daniel) Wurster, and Marguerite (Rev. Douglas) Janetzke; four grandchildren, Katina (Robert) Hardgrove, Karl (Olivia) Wurster, Joshua (Kari) Janetzke, Andrew (Emily) Janetzke; nine great-grandchildren, Vincent, Ty, JT, Julia, Hannah, Caleb, Matthias, Abigail, and one soon to be born; stepchildren, Carol (Eldon) Grabow, Marian (Ralph) Grabow, Ken (Naomi) Wegmeyer, and their children and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Arlene Weinkauf Zerbst, his daughter; Susan Zerbst, his brother; Charles Zerbst, and his wife; Ruth Wegmeyer Zerbst.

A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018 at 2 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at a later date in Willow Springs, Ill., at Fairmount Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations to The Gideons International or Immanuel Lutheran Church and School.