Delmer Leo Van Zile

Delmer Leo Van Zile MARION – The spirit of Delmer Leo Van Zile, 80, of Marion, formerly of California, rose to be with his God and Savior Jesus Christ at 1:20 PM, Sunday, January 30, 2011, surrounded by his children and wife Jaye at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran’s Hospital in Columbia, MO. According to Delmer’s wishes he will be cremated and a memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Marion at 4 PM. Memorials may be made to the church or sent C/O Blue Funeral Home, P.O. Box 411, Marion, IL, 62959. Delmer was born on August 15, 1930 in Huntington Park, CA to Leo Franklin & Minnie Violet (Phillips) Van Zile. He married Lois Marie McMillan on March 1, 1952; together they had four children. On June 9, 1984 Delmer was united in marriage to Judith Ann (Blackburn) Snoddy in Riverside, CA; he acquired five children from this union. His loving nickname for Judith was “Jaye” and together they shared 26 ½ years of happiness. Survivors include his children, Linda Lee & Robert Greene of Romoland, CA, Richard Del & Darla Van Zile of Corona, CA, Deborah Lynn & Dave Crockett of Fullerton, CA and Donald Ray & Karen Van Zile of Bellflower, CA; step-children, Cindy & Roger Burroughs and Deborah Jane & Rick Land all of Marion, Wendy & Paul Hawthorne of Ashburn, VA, Laura & Jamie Taylor of Culpeper, VA and K. Gordon & Sandra Snoddy of Temecula, CA; grandchildren, Shawne & Eleanor Greene of Buena Park, CA, Erin Walker of Bellflower, CA, David Richard Van Zile, Daniel Lee & Julie Van Zile of Corona, CA, Dale David Crockett, Danielle Marie Crockett of Fullerton, CA, Chris Lyon of Bellflower, Krystal & Marti Ertle of NC, Dawn Rae & Justin McGowan of Orange, CA, Susan Joy Rodgers of Marion, Amanda & Dwayne Naas of Madison, WI, Lauren Hawthorne of Farmer’s Branch, TX, Philip Hawthorne of Champaign, IL, Jon Hawthorne & Abigail Hawthorne both of Ashburn, VA, Misty & Rob Shock of Columbus, OH, Christopher & Miranda Land of Goreville, Jennifer & Kfi Alfia of Dallas, TX, Mack Taylor & Sam Taylor both of Culpeper, VA, James & Liane Taylor of Austin, TX, Devin Bassir & Andrea Bassir & Allysa Bassir all of Temecula, CA; great-grandchildren, Rachel, Jacob, Rilee and Aiden Greene of Buena Park, Janae, Josef and Jazmine Walker of Bellflower, Gavon and Devyn Van Zile of Corona, Michelle Crockett, MaKayla and Gabriela Crockett of Fullerton, Savannah, Trinity, Ashton Gaylan and Nevaeh Ertle of NC, Madelyn and Hailie McGowan of Orange, Cameron Shock Of Columbus, Teyha, Kash, Lexi and Lawson Land of Goreville, Etan Alfia of Dallas and Hayden Bassir of Temecula; mother-in-law, Ruth (McKinney) Blackburn of Marion; sister-in-law, Carole & Michael Sniderwin; nieces & nephews, Scott & Emmeline Sniderwin, Brett & Katie Sniderwin, Kristin & James Crady, Jeanette, Jeanine, Karen and Danny; great-nieces & nephews, Bryce, Connor and Evan Sniderwin, Roland and Morgan Crady. Delmer was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Doris Jean (Van Zile) Walsh; father-in-law, James Blackburn and brother-in-law, Thomas Blackburn. Delmer was a Purple Heart Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a master engraver and award winning designer. He owned and managed trophy shops in Whittier, Bellflower, Riverside and San Bernardino, CA during his 45 year career. He especially enjoyed working with Little League and Pop Warner groups.