Gerald E. Zarn
Born: October 24th, 1922
Died: February 13th, 2014
Obituary
Gerald E. "Jerry" Zarn, 91, of Burlington, died at 9:30 AM, Thursday, February 13, 2014, at the Bickford Cottage in Burlington. Born October 24, 1922, in Davenport, IA, he was the son of Edward Melcher and Lila Dohrman Zarn. On March 28, 1948, he married Eileen Sophe Happ in Burlington. She died February 18, 2003. He graduated from Davenport Central High School where he played saxophone in the high school band and played in the accordion band. Jerry worked right out of high school for the Red Jacket Pump Co. He then started working for Braniff Airways at the Moline airport and continued working for Braniff for 38 years, including Burlington airport, Chicago Midway, Chicago O'hare and moved to reservations and then group sales. He along with Mark Zaiser were co-owners of Apps Music House, downtown Burlington. He then worked for 8 years at Hitzman Funeral Home in Brookfield, IL. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Cloud Busters Flying Club, Jaycees, York Rite Kaaba and West Suburban Shrine Clubs. Masonic organizations, Lions Club, RSVP, EAA, Ambassadors, Senior Saints, Welcome Center, Keenagers, and the Carthage Lake Club. He also volunteered at the Buggy Museum in Biggsville. He loved to garden and especially travel. He visited every continent but Australia and Antarctica. Survivors include one son, Randall D. (Rosemary) Zarn of Long Beach, CA; one daughter, Candace C. (Don) Wagner of Burlington,; three grandsons, Gabriel P. (Aimee) Wagner, Nicholas P. Wagner, Vincent E. Zarn; two great grandchildren, Riley and Ameila Wagner; one brother, Richard D. (Mollie) Zarn of Davenport, IA; one sister, Kay (Dave) Ivarson of Palatine, IL; several nieces and nephews; and his special friend, Josephine Gipson of Burlington. Besides his wife he was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM Sunday, February 16, 2014, at Thielen Funeral Home. The funeral service for Mr. Zarn will be 10:00 AM Monday, February 17, 2014, at Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Rick Biedermann officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Thielen Funeral Home following the burial. Memorials have been established to the Great River Hospice House and the Cystinosis Foundation. - See more at: http://www.thielenfuneralhome.com/obituary/Gerald-E.-Jerry-Zarn/Burlington-IA/1343829#sthash.m7hGTisW.dpuf