Russell Leon Zornes

Russell Leon Zornes, 72, died unexpectedly Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Bucyrus Community Hospital.



He was born July 20 1943 in New Castle, Indiana to the late Herbert Russell and Nannie Belle (Gilliam) Zornes and shortly thereafter, his family moved to Lewis County Kentucky where Leon graduated from Laurel High School in 1962 and was a 1987 graduate of Morehead State University.



On July 9, 1966, he married Linda L. Ash whom he’d met through her brother and they’ve enjoyed 49 years of marriage. Leon enlisted part-time for the Kentucky Army National Guard which became fulltime. He served as a recruiter and was proud to have recruited one of his sons to follow in his footsteps. Giving 23 years of service, Leon retired in 1998 as an area recruiting supervisor with rank of E-8 Master Sgt.



Leon lived by faith and family and will be remembered for putting the needs of anyone ahead of his own. He worshiped, sang and played his guitar at Old Trace Community Church while living in Kentucky and since moving to Bucyrus in 2000, he’s enjoyed doing those same things at the Kaler Ave. Church of Christ in Christian Union. He was also a member of the Bucyrus Moose Lodge and a former member of the American Legion.



Leon loved listening to gospel music while reading his Bible; working in his flower garden and taking care of his and the neighborhood yards. He also enjoyed many years of playing guitar and singing for the Beckham County Ramblers. He followed Kentucky and Ohio State basketball and football and he loved interacting with his grandchildren. Leon felt privileged to have played guitar and sung for fellow veterans as part of a Veteran’s Day Program put on by the Buckeye Central Student Council in which some of his grandchildren belonged.



In addition to his wife Linda, Leon is survived by his greatest accomplishments, which include three sons, David (Renee) Zornes of New Washington, Michael Zornes of San Francisco and Jonathan (Shawn) Compton-Zornes of Columbus; four grandchildren, Karsen Kaple, Spencer Kaple, Jordyn Kaple and Gabriella Grace Compton-Zornes. He is also survived by two brothers, Lennie (Wilma) Zornes of Mt. Gilead and Jimmy (Yvonne) Zornes of Akron, Indiana; two sisters, Betty (Elwood) Crawford of Vanceburg and Bertha (Joe) Topper of Bucyrus; many nieces and nephews including Martin “Marty” Ash, whom Leon was particularly close; a special family friend David Devine of Columbus and Leon’s grand-puppies, Princess, Disney, Bianca, Winston and Keeper, none of whom lacked love or attention.



Along with his parents, Leon is joined in Heaven with his eight siblings and his son, Jason Todd Zornes, whom Leon missed dearly since his death in 2012.



Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 12 at Wise Funeral Service, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday with Pastor George Lohr, Jr. officiating. Burial will take place next to his son Todd in Oakwood Cemetery at a later date where full military rites will be provided by both the US Army and American Legion, Post 181 Honor Guards.



Memorial contributions may be given to the American Heart Association through the funeral home.