Maurice Kent "Zeke" Zerkel, age 78 of St. Marys, Ohio passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at St. Rita's Hospital in Lima.

He was born on January 21, 1940 in Lima, Ohio to the late Herbert and Mildred Zerkel. On August 2, 1968 in Elida, Ohio, he married Marilyn Riffle, who died on Feb. 12, 2018.

Surviving are their three sons: Scott (Gay) Zerkel of Celina, Steve (Beth) Zerkel of Medford, OR, and Shannon (Sherri) Zerkel of Tonopah, AZ, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Zeke was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and his sister, Charlotte (Zerkel) Holtzapple.

Zeke graduated from Elida High School in 1958 and filmed their football games for several years. He attended the University of Cincinnati, then joined the US Navy from 1961-1965. While stationed at Key West, he took part in the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served on destroyers in the Caribbean Sea.

Zeke was employed as a specification writer for ten years by Lyman J. Strong and Associates Architects in Lima and for 24 years for Fanning and Howey Architects in Celina. At Fanning and Howey, Zeke was a spec writer and as Office Manager in offices in Celina, Indiana, and West Palm Beach, Florida before retiring in 2002. After retirement, he did volunteer work in Celina.

Zeke was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Moose Lodge and the American Legion Post #210. He was a member of the Grand Lake United Methodist Church in Celina where he was on the Board of Trustees and also the Building Campaign. Zeke was a member of the Men's Share Group and the Emmaus Walk Share Group in Celina.

Zeke loved photography, coin collecting, Blackjack and poker, jigsaw and crossword puzzles. He served as Moderator for a major Blackjack Web Site. He enjoyed sailing in the Caribbean and boating on Grand Lake. He loved his cat, Sissy.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at the Grand Lake United Methodist Church in Celina, with Rev. Diane Mendelson officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Elida, Ohio.

Friends may call from 4-7 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at the Lehman-Dzendzel Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Lake United Methodist Church in Celina.

Condolences may be left at LehmanDzendzelFH.com.