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Memorials
We remember these members who had contributed so much to our organization

Thomas Roy (62 Year Member)

THOMAS JOSEPH ROY, 87, of Fort Wayne, passed away Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born Dec. 20, 1931, in Fort Wayne. He was a Korean War veteran serving proudly in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1950 where he was an all city basketball player. Tom was employed with the Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 166 for 62 years. He loved being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom also loved to fish and spend time in his workshop. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, MaDonna (nee Hartman); three daughters, Deborah (Dan) Scheib of Fort Wayne, Sharon (Jeff) Parks of Fort Wayne and Rhonda (Eugene) Scare of Huntertown; son, Daniel (Denise) Roy of Fort Wayne; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joan Penningroth of Angola and Sandy (Bruce) Schelm of Leo; and brother, Jim Roy of Fremont. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Isadore J. and Velma F. Roy; brother, Louie Roy; and brother-in-law, Carl Penningroth.

Michael Zent (38 Year Member)

MICHAEL "MIKE" JAMES ZENT, 69, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Born in Fort Wayne, he was the son of the late James and Rose (Spatt) Zent. He served his country in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret during Vietnam and was a member of the American Legion. He retired in 2010 from Bowen Engineering, Fishers, Ind., and was a member of the Plumber & Steam Fitters Local Union 166 for over 30 years. He enjoyed fishing, cooking and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Carol (Bendele) Zent; children, Michael (Anita Eads) Zent, Eric (Laura) Zent, Melissa (Keith) Gatlin, Ryan (Kim) Petty, Stephanie (Chris) Reason, and Sarah (Kyle) Jegerlehner; siblings, Judy Bill, Gary (Lisa) Zent, Larry (Penni) Zent, Tom (Marcia) Zent, Sara Zent, and James Zent; and 12 grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Patrick Zent in September of 2018.

William Bowen (50 Year Member)

William Claude "Bill" Bowen Sr., 77, formerly of Muncie, was called home on Monday, December 3, 2018, after being diagnosed with cancer just a few weeks ago.
Bill was born on February 21, 1941, in St. Mary's, Ohio, to Claude and Juanita (Solomon) Bowen. His family moved to Cowan, Indiana when he was a toddler, and he grew up there.
He left home at the age of sixteen, got married, and joined the Navy. After being honorably discharged, he returned to the Muncie area, and began working in air conditioning & heating. He joined the Pipefitters Union (Local #661 Muncie) and later would be considered one of the most knowledgeable, and capable men they had. He worked through the union until he was disabled in his late forties.
After being disabled, Bill moved to Florida, where he lived in a little A frame house on the lake, and hosted a bonfire meeting every Friday night. He had over thirty-five years sobriety. That is probably the thing he was most proud of in his life. He made it his life to help others achieve sobriety. That is probably what we, as his children are the most proud of him for.
A few years ago, we finally talked him into coming home. We are so thankful for the time we got to spend with him, and happy that his last years were spent carefree, and surrounded by a large family that adored, and doted on him. Bill was always busy. He loved to tinker. He "whistled" the whole time he was working. He had a wood shop, and made us all many keepsakes that we will treasure forever.
Surviving are three sons, Ricky Bowen, whom he lived with for many years, and in later years was his devoted caregiver, William (Debbie) Bowen of Claypool, IN, Michael "Butch" (Angie) Bowen of Richmond, IN; Daughter, Pam (Larry) Fields of Claypool, IN; Daughter-in-law, Lucinda Bowen of Anderson, IN; Sister, Nadine Aldridge of Muncie, IN; Brother, James Bowen of New Albany, IN; 12 Grandchildren, Christie, Mandy, Wil, Jennifer, Bridgette, Jessica, Roger, Ben, Brandy, Misty, Patrick, and Kasie; 17 Great grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by the love of his life, and mother of his children, Linda Lou (Digman) Bowen Foreman; a granddaughter, Kathy Jo Bowen; his parents, and two brothers, Steven Bowen and Lawrence Bowen.

George Gillespie (49 Year Member)

George Franklin "Jud" Gillespie, age 96, lifetime resident of Kendallville, died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at home.
Mr. Gillespie was born at his parents' home on Krueger Street in Kendallville on April 3, 1922, to the late Gordon and Jennie Mae (Sillaway) Gillespie. He honorably served his country in the United States Army from 1942-46 during WWII, including the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. He was a sergeant and drove a tank with the 11th Armored Division. When he returned from the war, he married his beautiful bride, Grace Maxine Hose, on March 16, 1946, in Kendallville. They remained faithful in marriage for 72 years and lived in the same house on Pleasant Street all their married lives.
Jud retired in 1988 from the Plumbers & Steam Fitters Local Union 166, Fort Wayne. He was a member of the First Church of God, American Legion Post 86, VFW Post 2749, and the Elks Lodge, all in Kendallville. Jud was an avid golfer and he loved playing golf. He made a hole-in-one on the No. 5 hole at the Limberlost Golf Course in Rome City when he was 86 years old on Oct. 22, 2008! He also loved ice fishing and hunting. He loved to go for country drives looking for deer and would drive by all of his children's homes to make sure things were OK. He loved to spend time with his family and grandkids and great-grandkids.
Survivors include: wife of 72 years, Grace Gillespie of Kendallville; son, Larry Gillespie of Kendallville; son, Dennis Gillespie of Kendallville; son, Dean and Michelle Gillespie of Kendallville; son, Keith Gillespie of Kendallville; daughter, Marilyn and Paul Carpenter of Kendallville; daughter, Barbara and Robert Deisinger of Kendallville; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild (with one the way!); and sister-in-law, Frances (Easterday) Gillespie of Kendallville.
He was preceded in death by his son, Carl Gillespie; daughter-in-law, Rose Gillespie; sisters, Mary (Don) Ihrie, Alta (Harold "Jake") Hite and Betty (Ed) Ebert; and brothers, Delton (Beverly (Grossman) Gillespie and Robert Gillespie.

Patrick Anthony "PZ" Zent (39 Year Member)

PATRICK ANTHONY "PZ" ZENT, 67, of Fort Wayne, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. Born in Fort Wayne, Patrick was the son of the late James and Rose Zent. Patrick graduated from Central Catholic High School. He was a plumber and pipe fitter with Shambaugh and Sons for many years prior to his retirement. He was a member of the local 166. Patrick enjoyed golfing, reading, especially about history, rooting for the Green Bay Packers, spending time with his son Patrick, and being around his friends telling stories and laughing. Surviving are his son, Patrick Zent; former spouse and friend, Cindy Zent-Wall; and siblings, Judith Bill, Michael (Carol) Zent, Larry (Penni) Zent, Gary (Lisa) Zent, James Zent, Thomas (Marcia) Zent, and Sara Zent. Patrick was preceded in death by his twin children, Aubrey Rose and Joseph James. Memorial service is 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at FairHaven Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 6557 N. Clinton St., with calling from 1 p.m. until the service. Pastor Doug Croucher officiating. Memorials may be made to Turnstone Center.