Earl J. ZENTMYER

Notes:

"Earl J. Zentmyer, of Montgomery, Illinois, peacefully departed from this world on December 13, 2003. He had been confined to his home and cared for by his children, since experiencing a heart attack in mid-October. Until that time, Earl had been exceptionally active and self sufficient for his 103 years of age. Earl was born April 10, 1900 to Clara and Oliver Zentmyer in Aurora. Earl's childhood, youth and early adulthood was spent living and working in Aurora. In 1922, he moved to Oswego, purchased business property, and opened the first filling station and garage in the community. He became a skilled mechanic, working on Model T Fords. Marjorie Friebele became his bride in 1923. She and Earl enjoyed 76 years of marriage and parenthood, together. Marge died when she was 96 years old, in 2000. Earl and Marge worked close together as they acquired and further developed their business in Oswego. Their loyalty, support and commitment to each other was strong. As Oswego grew, the business expansion for the Zentmyer's included a Standard Oil Service Station and a Ford Motor Company dealership. Mr. Zentmyer became an active participant in numerous aspects of the community. He served a term as Mayor. Through his leadership and efforts, the Oswego Township Library was formed. The Oswego Community Bank is also a result of Earl's leadership and organization. Earl was a Lions Club member and a member of the Oswego Masonic Lodge. He attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Banking Institute. He served on numerous boards in the Oswego community. For many years, he was a Trustee of The Church of The Good Shepherd, United Methodist Earl wrote poetry, many short stories and one published book. He was recently writing his autobiography to be titled, My First One Hundred Years. He played guitar and harmonica. Enjoying the family summer home in Wisconsin, especially fishing on Blue Lake, will be long cherished memories for children and grandchildren." Aurora Beacon News, Aurora Illinois

Earl married Marjorie Elizabeth FRIEBELE 15 Mar 1923, Aurora, Kane, Illinois. Marjorie was born 29 Oct 1904, Yorkville, Kendall, Illinois; died 28 Nov 2000, Oswego, Kendall, Illinois; was buried Lincoln Memorial Park, Oswego, Kendall, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

1. James Robert ZENTMYER was born 8 Oct 1923, Aurora, Kane, Illinois; died 19 Mar 1987, Oswego, Kendall, Illinois; was buried Oswego Township Cemetery, Oswego, Kendall, Illinois.
2. Norma Jane ZENTMYER
3. Laurie Tex ZENTMYER was born 1930, El Paso, El Paso, Texas; died 1930, El Paso, El Paso, Texas.
4. Donna Earlene ZENTMYER was born 4 Mar 1932.
5. Sue Elaine ZENTMYER was born 3 Jul 1933, Aurora, Kane Illinois.
6. Dolores Ann ZENTMYER was born 16 Feb 1937, Aurora, Kane, Illinois.
7. John MacArthur ZENTMYER
8. Merry Ellen ZENTMYER was born 8 Aug 1944, Aurora, Kane, Illinois; died 8 Aug 1944, Aurora, Kane, Illinois; was buried Lincoln Memorial Cemetery,Oswego, Kendall, Illinois.

Oliver married Clara Elizabeth LAWYER 26 Apr 1893, Kane Co., Illinois. Clara was born 18 Oct 1880, Franklin Co., Pennsylvania; died 8 Mar 1960, Joliet, Will, Illinois; was buried Lincoln Memorial Park, Oswego, Kendall, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Jacob was a carpenter and a homebuilder, having built a number of buildings in the central section of Naperville. In 1875 Jacob and Rebecca moved to a farm in Will County where they lived for 24 years. After losing an arm in a corn shredder accident in 1899, Jacob became a traveling patent medicine salesman for Bloomer's Home Products. Jacob and Rebecca celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in Naperville in 1923, and died later that same year six weeks apart.



Jacob was the Great-Great-Grandfather of Michael Fichtel (see the 'Thanks To' link on our home page)

Jacob married Rebecca Ella RUTH 26 Jan 1858, DuPage Co., Illinois. Rebecca was born 25 Sep 1840; died 18 Aug 1923, Aurora, Kane, Illinois; was buried Naperville Cemetery, Naperville, DuPage, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Lived in Penn and Warwick Townships in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania

Benjamin married Catherine A. STUTENROTH 16 Nov 1837. Catherine was born 14 Dec 1815; died 21 Apr 1891, Naperville, DuPage Co., Illinois; was buried Naperville Cemetery, Naperville, DuPage Co., Illinois (per Mike Fichtel). [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Catherine is buried in Naperville Cemetery, where her headstone reads "Catherine Feldman." Clearly Catherine, who lived another 35 years after Benjamin's death, remarried.