Paul R. Zenker

Paul Robert Zenker, age 53, entered his Heavenly home Friday, November 13, 2020. Paul was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 3, 1967 to Roberta Lynne (Dutton) and Wray Zenker. He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Roberta Lynne (Dutton) Zenker.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 30 years, Barb Zenker; son, David Zenker; father, Wray Zenker; sister, Bobbi Lynne (Zenker) and her husband, Charles Cribley and Melissa Marie; brother, Kevin Lee and his wife Heather; sister-in-law, Susan Wisner; father- and mother-in-law Marvin and Christel Wisner; nieces and nephews Racheal (Corwin) and Brian Menzies, Tara Zenker, Seana Pursley, Amanda Pursley, Gracie Myckowiak, Megan MacDonald, Charlie Cribley, Zack and Alex Zenker, Kennedy (Craft) and Conrad DeRidder, Madison and Libby Cole. His great-nephews Aiden, Benson, Caleb, and Chayton; his amazing aunts and uncles Linda and George Clark, Judy (Terry, deceased) McGovern, Char and Rocky Kimball, Pat Bradford and Roger, and Shirley Zenker.

Paul was a graduate of Sparta High School in 1985 and thankfully for the skills center training he received, he went on to Grand Rapids Community College to pursue the Tool and Die trade. Paul was a mold maker for over 30 years. He took great pride when he drove around announcing the molds that he built for the many various news cars he saw around town. That career enabled Paul to provide a good life for his family. There were many vacations throughout the US, Canada, Central America, Europe, and Russia. He loved camping and boating with his family and enjoyed many years at their summer home at Sandy Pines.

Growing up the oldest of four children, he took great pride in teasing and doing pranks on his siblings. When they talk about the stories of their childhood, Paul would always tell them, “well yeah but you survived so it's ok” or “you are lucky you escaped that one.” Paul loved his siblings to the moon and back; he is so proud to have been able to witness them grow into the beautiful humans they have become today.

His nieces and nephews would fondly call him Uncle Paulie Wog or just Wog to get a rise out of him, but deep-down Paul loved the nickname he was given by his nieces and nephews. He enjoyed having them spend time in his home, taking them on many adventures like, teaching them how to drive a quad or shoot a gun.

His greatest accomplishment in his life however was being a father to David. He always walked around so proud of his son and always boasted about him to his work friends or anyone who would listen, to be honest. There are stories such as him letting David climb the 40-foot oak tree on the edge of a valley on his property and he would tell Barb, “do not worry he will be just fine.” He allowed David to take his little tricycle down the curvy, hilly driveway and tell Barb, “don’t say anything he’s not going to crash.” There would be many times his wife Barb would go outside to see what the two of them were up to and she turned and walked back in. Sometimes, it is better for moms not to worry about their child. He enjoyed teaching David how to shoot various types of guns or ride a quad and how to swim, how to fix a tire on a car and how to drive a car. He enjoyed teasing David by his fashion sense and threatening to wear his camouflage crocs if they were going out together. He taught him how to grow up and to be respected as a man and to always speak your truth. Paul was so proud of the man his son David is becoming. We know that Paul will be a great guardian angel for David. He will greatly be missed by those who loved him.

Visitation with Paul’s family will be held from 6-9PM Thursday, November 19, 2020 at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 312 N. Main St, Wayland 49348.

In honor of Paul and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family for funeral expenses. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.kubiakcookwayland.com.