Obituary for
Raymond "Ray" Zynda
Ray Zynda formerly of Stevens Point died on Sunday, November 8th, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio with his loving family at his side at the age of 80. Ray was born on July 17, 1935 in Stevens Point, WI. He was the oldest son of the late Stanley and Susan (Guzman) Zynda Sr.
He attended St. Peters Grade School and graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School. His marriage to Bernice Flisakowski took place on October 6, 1956 at St. Peters Catholic church in Stevens Point. He enlisted in the Army in 1956 and served by executive order during the Berlin Crisis. He was honorably discharged from Camp McCoy August 1, 1962. Bernice passed away in 1993. Ray married Marianne A. Vollrath on Feb. 15, 1997 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, she passed in 2010.
After high school, he worked at the Vetter Manufacturing Company and worked his way up to supervisor. Five years later, Ray bought a milk route. His business began as a “can” route but quickly grew into a “bulk” route. In fact, he was the first milk hauler in the area that had a Mack truck and Brenner bulk tank. Nine trucks and twenty-five years later (working 7 days/week), he decided to retire in 1985 at the young age of 49. During his retirement, Ray loved hunting, fishing, and spending time at his “garage” as well as traveling to Ohio to spend time with his grandchildren.
As a devote Catholic, Ray’s faith was very important to him. Ray enjoyed collecting classic cars. For several decades, the second weekend in July was always marked for the Iola Car Show. He also liked to do home improvement projects. In the 1960s, he built his first house. In the 1980s, he remodeled a semi-burned down house, and in the 1990s, he bought a “fixer-upper” cottage on the Waupaca Chain of Lakes.
Survivors include one son, Rob (Sherri) of Reynoldsburg Ohio. He is further survived by two grandchildren: Brianna and Ryan Zynda of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and one brother, Daniel (Mary Jane) Zynda of Stevens Point. Ray was preceded in death by both his wives Bernice and Marianne, two sisters, Margaret Kaminski and Delores Gorecki, and one brother, Stanley Jr.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Stevens Point. Reverend Jerzy Rebacz will be officiating. Burial will be in the Guardian Angel Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday at the Shuda Funeral Home and from 10:00 AM on Wednesday at St. Stephen’s Church until the time for mass. A parish rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM on Tuesday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Ray can be made to St. Stephen’s Church, 1401 Clark St, Stevens Point, WI 54481.
Order Flowers