Lorraine Lois Ziebart

Richard “Rich” H. Ziebart, 91, of St. Joseph, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 and his wife, Lorraine “Butch” L. (Gilmer) Ziebart, 87, passed away on Friday, January 12, 2018, both at Woodland Terrace of Niles. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 10 AM at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4333 Cleveland Ave., Stevensville, with Pastor Martin Measel officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, January 18, 2018, from 4 PM until 7 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremations Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries or Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. Those wishing to leave an online condolence for Rich and Lorraine may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Rich was born on May 13, 1926 in St. Joseph to Oswald & Lydia (Frobel) Ziebart. Lorraine was born on May 17, 1930, in Minneapolis, MN to Alvin & Julia (Streich) Gilmer. Rich graduated from St. Joseph High School and Lorraine graduated from Roosevelt High School. From 1944 until 1946, Rich proudly served our country in the Army Air Corp 417th Night Fighter Squadron. After he returned home, Rich married the love of his life, Lorraine Gilmer, on September 11, 1954 in Minneapolis. Rich worked for Michigan Bell Telephone, starting as a linesman and working his way up to Manager of Maintenance for the Kalamazoo District. Together, he and Lorraine worked tirelessly to build the house where they would raise their family. Lorraine went on to work as the first administrative assistant for Nuclear Regulatory Commission at the DC Cook plant. Both Richard and Lorraine were faithful members of Christ Lutheran Church.  Lorraine sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and served as President of the Ladies League.  Richard served as an Elder, a member of the Board of Evangelism and held an office in the Lutheran Laymen’s League for 45 years. Lorraine had an incredible zest for life and always loved to put a smile on people’s faces with her humor and pranks.  She also enjoyed sewing, cake decorating and gardening.  Rich’s dedication to helping others is reflected in his work and affiliation with Telephone Pioneers of America, WWII Night Fighters and Lest We Forget. He also enjoyed fishing, playing pinochle and working on home projects. Richard and Lorraine touched many lives and will be dearly missed by all. Rich and Lorraine are survived by their children; John (Mary) Ziebart of Bloomingdale, IL, Jacquelyn (Antony) Foster of Wellington, New Zealand, and Jill (Antonio) Daniels of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Adrienne (Samuel Huie) Daniels and Eleanor (James Lazarcik) Daniels; Rich’s siblings, Robert Ziebart, Kenneth (Lorraine) Ziebart, and Sharon (Donald) Jeschke; Rich’s sister-in-law, Marietta Ziebart; Lorraine’s sister, Rhoda (Harold) Schroeder and sister-in-law, Grace Gilmer; and numerous nieces and nephews. Rich and Lorraine were preceded in death by their parents; Rich’s siblings, Eleanor (Garry) Pasman, Patricia Ziebart and Alvin Ziebart; Rich’s sister-in-law, Marian Ziebart; Lorraine’s twin brother, Lawrence Gilmer and sister Wanda (Elton) Miller.