Robert “Duck” Zantene, 88, of Scio passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 22, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born Sept. 21, 1926 in Somerdale he was a son of the late Frank W. Zantene and Amber L. Lechner Zantene. Duck graduated from Bowerston High School in 1944 and honorably served in the US Army Pacific Theater during WWII. He returned to work at the Scio Pottery Co. after the war, working his way up to become plant engineer, retiring in 1986 after 49 years of service. He also was co-owner of Wagner-Zantene Tree Farm with Bill Wagner from 1956-1997, having the honor of one of their trees chosen to be the Christmas tree in the governor’s mansion.
A tireless worker for the Scio community Duck belonged to the Scio American Legion Post 482 where he served as a past commander for 13 years. To honor fellow veterans he designed and organized construction of the War Memorial at Grandview Cemetery and designed and helped construct the Veterans Covered Bridge on the Conotton Creek Trail. He also proudly helped restore “Leapin Lena” and deliver Christmas baskets to the needy. Duck was also a member of the Scio Civic Club and Conotton Creek Trail Committee where he designed and built the Trolley for people to ride who are unable to walk the trail and he and his family donated the recently constructed covered bridge on the trail. He was a member of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Cadiz.
Duck was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Angeline Ruggeri Zantene, a son Brett Zantene and siblings Theresia, William, Audrey and Pete Zantene and Gladys Burkhart.
Surviving are children Cathy (Rick) Skubovius and Mark (Linda) Zantene both of Scio, Connie (Walt) Huhn of Byesville and Diane (Richard) Thompson of Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren Michael, Jeskee, Jenay, Matthew, Amber, Matthew, Timothy and Ryan and great grandchildren Kody and Kaden.
Services with military honors will be held Wednesday at 9:30 a.m in Koch Funeral Home, Scio then a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. in St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Cadiz with Rev. Frederick Kihm and Deacon Lou Primozic officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Scio. Friends may call Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home with a vigil service at 3:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Conotton Creek Trail, 90151 Kilgore Ridge Rd., Scio, 43988.