James Zinkel, age 83, a lifelong resident of Manitowoc, passed away late Thursday evening, November 4, 2021 at his residence.
Jim was born on January 25, 1938, in Manitowoc, son of the late Harry and Angeline (Schultz) Zinkel and step-mother, Emily (Witczak) Zinkel. He graduated with the class of 1956 from Manitowoc Lincoln High School. Jim served in the U.S. Marine Corps from September of 1956 until his Honorable Discharge reaching the rank of Private First Class. On June 23, 1961 he married the former Gail Grosskopf in Waukegan, Illinois. Jim worked as a Department Manager for Imperial Eastman’s for 50 years retiring in 2000. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Holy Innocents Men’s Choir. Jim volunteered at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center as a eucharist minister. Church and God always came first in his life. He loved his wife of 60 years, sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jim enjoyed singing, fishing, going up to Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay Packers, racing, dancing and took pride in his two vegetable gardens.
Survivors include his wife: Gail Zinkel, Manitowoc; three sons and daughters-in-law: Jeffrey (LuAnn) Zinkel, Green Bay, Eric (Debbie) Zinkel, Cedar Grove, Chad (Stephanie) Zinkel, Green Bay; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister: Theresa Dupras, Manitowoc; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Alan (Monica) Grosskopf, New York, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents: Harry and Angeline Zinkel; step-mother: Emily Zinkel; one brother-in-law: Robert Dupras; one sister-in-law; Sue Sonneman.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo, 1121 North 14th Street, Manitowoc. Rev. Ben Johnson and Rev. Gerald Foley will concelebrate the Mass of Christian Burial with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Graveside Military Honors will be accorded by AmVets Post #99 of Manitowoc. Relatives and friends may call at the church on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass at 12:00 noon. The Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home of Manitowoc assisted the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com
The family would like to thank the hospice nurse Cariann at Sharon S. Richardson for all the loving compassionate care given to Jim.
