Erik sorry for the loss of your father. I remember years ago I was hunting on your property and it was late,  John happened to ride by on his four wheeler and gave me a ride back to the road. I thought that was very nice of him. After that he gave me several rides back to my truck.  It was good times Sorry again for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. 

John was a long time good friend of our family. John had a heart, he was kind and courageous. He was a Vietnam Veteran who knew that others had suffered pain from that war. He blessed many
with his hope and knowledge. He had great faith in humanity.     John will be missed

My condolences to you Jess and to your family. Sending hugs and prayers. Cherish those memories. Love you😘

Jessica, 
I am sorry to hear of your father's passing.  After reading his obituary, he certainly leaves behind a great legacy for his family.   My thoughts are with you during this sad time. 

My sweetest memory of my Uncle John Z is the precious letter he wrote me while I was overseas during Desert Storm.  He wrote just to encourage me, as he knew better than anyone what I might be experiencing.  I felt a special bond with him after that. While my experience in war was nothing like his as a veteran of Vietnam, he had the kind and generous thought to reach out to me and make sure I knew he understood.



Heartfelt condolences I impart to my cousin John's family and to his 
Vietnam Veteran brothers and sisters:  Cheryl, Eric and family, Jessica and family, as with my dad Leonard and I were truly saddened to hear the news of John passing away from your lives. Please know our prayers always remain said and sent up to Heaven for John's soul resting in eternal peace with Christ our Lord and all God's angels.  Our families are truly sorry for your loss and send our true and deep sympathy.
With cousinly love,
Virgie Obidzinski, with her father, Leonard Obidzinski (US  Army Veteran, korean conflict)


As a Fellow Brother of  Vietnam Veteran of Plymouth/Canton Chapter 528, 
You will be missed John..... R.I.P. Brother

Dale M. Luebke
Canton, Michigan 48188

Cheryl/Eric and Family,
We are so surprised and sorry to hear of John's passing. VVA Chapter 528 will miss the big truck, decorated to the hilt, for Veterans Day and Memorial Day, that hauled members who were unable to walk. Know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of your many friends.

Rest in Peace soldier...your tour of duty is complete.

Dearest Zielinski Family:
Many of us worked with John at the Allied Wrigley/Great Scott Supermarket at Schoolcraft and Telegraph.  We bowled together, played baseball together, golfed together and attended concerts together.  John was one of the "Good Guys"!
You knew him as family, we knew him as a friend to cherish.  As will you, we will forever have John in our thoughts.  He was a true and faithful servant to the Lord.  He will always remain in our memory.

Mr. Zielinski is one of just a handful of men I respect and love. I knew him most of my life and he, along with his family, imparted only good in my life. As I sit here reflecting on a lifetime of memories, it’s hard not to cry. Remembering when he piled 10 plus baseball players into the caravan to tryouts and took side streets from St. Mikes to avoid blowing out the shocks. Or when he cheered on Eric and me during our Cub Scout careers as pitchers. Taking us to the theater for the remastered Star Wars. Confirming that the beans served at the Cub Scout Kensington campout were worse than the food in Vietnam. Teaching me that there is poetic beauty in vulgarity. Watching the Super Bowl and filling up on Mrs. Z’s Polish pancakes. The countless hunting trips. The early morning wake up calls to catch the ferry and make morning draw at Harsens, where he always made sure to have sugar/cream with a dash of coffee for us.  Going to Sans Souci’s to powwow the lottery number to win us a PM draw if we struck out in the AM. Teaching me how to lead a duck for a perfect shot. Him making insane 45-yard shots on decoy-shy birds. Helping us read the wind for the right decoy spread. Taking us to Stockbridge and seeing deer numbers I’ve never dreamt imaginable. Pushing that old ATV with him and Eric up the back hill or through the flooded timber. Watching the dogs work at Ringneck. Bestowing on me his older equipment, like the canvas pheasant hunting pants, which I still use. Going to Howell for late season and falling through ice with each step in the marsh. Like I said, so many dear memories imprinted on my soul. He was as direct as his piercing blue eyes, but kind and extremely relatable. Strong, nurturing, and vulnerable. He had a big heart. He allowed you to be heard and genuinely took interest in what you told him. I will always be thankful that he included me on so many occasions and adventures. He was a second father to me. I love you Mr. Zielinski. I’ll see you again one day. 

OBITUARY

John Joseph Zielinski

April 15, 1950 – October 28, 2021

Harry J Will Funeral Homes

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