Erwin Paul Zeiter

Erwin (Zeke) Paul Zeiter (88), beloved husband, father and Opa of Greenville, Ohio went home

to join the Lord on Feb. 7, 2022 at the Brethren’s Retirement Community.

Zeke was born November 3, 1933 in Hillsdale, Michigan to Raymond Lawrence and Edna Mae

(Pinkley) Zeiter. He was the 6th of 7 children, Lawrence Raymond “Zip”, Leland Lee “Red”,

Margie Eileen French, Betty Lou Hilton, Shirley Mae (Reiley) Everett, and youngest James Dale.

Zeke graduated from Hillsdale High School and attended Hillsdale College before transferring to

Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in

1956. In January 1957, he joined and was inducted into the critical skills program in the US

Army Reserves where he served six months active duty. He married Sally Lee Hole of

Greenville, OH in October 1959. They settled in Detroit, MI and they had three children: Tammy

Lee, Matthew Paul and Kimberly Jo. His love story with Sally is one of redemption. Sally and

Zeke divorced midlife in 1981 and after 18 years , through prayer and by the Grace of God they

reconciled and were remarried with all of their children and grandchildren present in Fairhope,

AL in March 1999 and were able to spend another 21 years together as husband and wife here

in Greenville, OH.

Zeke’s career is best described by listing the titles of his jobs: management trainee, engineering

scheduler, production and inventory control supervisor, corporate material control manager, vice

president of manufacturing and general plant manager. He had the good fortune to finish his

career by teaching in the industrial technology department at the University of Arkansas, which

he greatly enjoyed. He was an active member in his local church- the most recent being The

First Congregational Christian Church in Greenville. He loved singing in the choir, serving on

the church council and praying with and serving communion to shut-ins and volunteering with

Habitat for Humanity.

Zeke enjoyed music. He sang in a barbershop quartet and he sang while logging over 10,000

walking miles since 1964. He began writing and creating worship songs with God’s help and

carefully recorded them into sheet music. He also enjoyed spending time with his

grandchildren, bowling, golfing, sailing and building and fixing things.

He is preceded in death by his wife Sally Lee (Hole) Zeiter (July 13, 2020), his parents, and five

of his siblings, along with his youngest granddaughter, Cortney Noel Bowers. He is survived by

his three children and their spouses: Tammy (Dean) Balu, Matt (Julie) Zeiter and Kim (Mike)

Bowers; his grandchildren and spouses: Tara Lee (Lance) Schaubert, Lauren Watson (Patrick)

Wheeler, Brittany LeeAnn (Japheth) Bear, Bethany Grace (Ian) Johnson, Samuel Paul (Allyce)

Bowers, Kristin Marie Zeiter, John Matthew Zeiter and Micah Paul (Alana) Balu;

great-grandchildren: Lyla Grace, Sadie Watson and Eden Ryan Wheeler, Cooper Dane

Johnson, Arthur Oberon Lee Schaubert and Adaline Rose Noel Bear; and his youngest brother,

James (Mary) Zeiter; as well as numerous nieces and nephews- all of these carry on his legacy

of faith, life, love and courage.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held for both Zeke and Sally (Hole) Zeiter at Zechar Bailey

Funeral Home in Greenville, OH on Saturday, May 28, 2022. A visitation with family will be from

10-11 and a memorial service will begin at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to EverHeart Hospice -1350 North

Broadway Greenville, Ohio, 45331 in Sally and Erwin’s name. The family is grateful for their

care of Zeke and Sally.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the Zeiter family.