Kenneth W. Zuercher, 99, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, at Danbury Woods Assisted Living in Wooster.
He was born April 18, 1920, in Pandora, Ohio, the son of Ernest S. and Ida Kiene Zuercher. He married Betty J. VonGunten on Oct. 23, 1943, and celebrated 71 years of marriage. She preceded him in death on Oct. 31, 2014.
Kenneth graduated from Rawson High School in 1938, and from Findlay College in 1942, where he held basketball scoring records at both schools for many years.
He enlisted in the army in 1942. Kenneth served in the European Theater during World War II and fought at The Battle of the Bulge. He retired from the army as a Lt. Colonel. In 2012, he went on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Kenneth began his teaching career in Weston, Ohio. He then taught at Arlington High School. Kenneth then began a teaching career at Wooster High School in 1947 as a physical education teacher, and then chemistry. He was the head basketball Csoach for the Generals for 8 years, assistant football Ccoach for 20 years, and golf coach for 25 years.
He retired from Wooster City Schools in 1977 after 30 years. Kenneth was inducted into the WHS Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. He had also been nominated for induction into the University of Findlay Sports Hall of Fame.
Kenneth was a longtime member of the Wooster Elks Lodge #1346 and the Findlay American Legion Post 3. He played golf, well into his 90s. He had 2 “holes in one” while in his 80s.
Surviving are his children Michael (Nancy) Zuercher of Wooster, Stephen (Ann) Zuercher of Ada, and Jane (Larry) Conn of Wooster; grandchildren Nikki (Christian) Johnson, Michele Burks, Scott Zuercher, Amy (Kenny) Hall, Nathan (Courtney) Curtis, Natalie (Greg) Howard, Jeff (Tasya) Conn, and Jason Conn; 12 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, and his wife Betty, Kenneth was preceded in death by his infant daughter Jean Marie; a brother Earl Zuercher; and a sister Henrietta Shrier.
Friends will be received at the McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster, from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26.
Graveside Services will be held at 1p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27, at Maple Grove Cemetery, Findlay, with Pastor Robert Dye officiating.
Memorial Contributions may be directed to The Honor Flight Program, Flag City Honor Flight, P.O. Box 885, Findlay, Ohio 45839.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
