Robert O. (Bob) Zelle, age 65, of Sheboygan, passed away on May 13, 2019 at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice after battling cancer. He was born on October 13, 1953 in Sheboygan, the son of the late Raymond and Florence (Fox) Zelle.
He attended Sheboygan area schools graduating with the Sheboygan South High School class of 1972. Bob was employed at Kohler Company, mostly in the Engine Division, for 44 years retiring January 2016. He married Lorie J. Sargent in Sheboygan April 27, 1974. Bob and Lorie resided most of their marriage in Sheboygan Falls raising their two daughters.
In early years Bob bowled in Kohler leagues, couples leagues and other leagues, bowling on Channel 4 TV and national tournaments. He was a true-blue Brewer Fan, Packers and Badgers fan. He also enjoyed attending sprint car races with friends in Ohio for over 15 years as well as the Plymouth Stock car racetrack. In September 2018, Bob was able to fulfill bucket list trip to Alaska and in his retirement, he enjoyed fishing and camping.
He is survived by wife Lorie; daughters, Jennifer (Scott) Hackel of Madison and Alison Zelle (Cliff Kissinger) significant other of Kiel; granddaughters, Talia and Alexa of Madison, and looking forward to birth of another granddaughter in September. Other survivors include his sisters-in-law, Sandra (Ron) Bowe, Judy Zelle; brothers-in-law, Jeff (Terry) Sargent and Larry (Kim) Sargent; nieces, nephews and cousins. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Earl and Gladys Sargent, brother, Tom Zelle, a sister, Kathy Berg, his nephew, Travis Bowe, uncles and aunts.
A memorial service for Bob will held on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. at the Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th St., Sheboygan with Rev. James Hoppert officiating. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Friday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service at 5:00 p.m. A private burial will take place at Sunrise Memorial Gardens.
Sending a huge thank you to Vince Lombardi Clinic and all their staff. Dr. Kumar, Deb Gray our nurse navigator, and his special angel nurses Shannon & Brenda are a special kind of people. A heartfelt thank you is also extended to the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for the compassion and care given to Bob. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice Center. Online condolences maybe expressed at
www.reinboldfh.com
