Obituaries
To find an archived obituary, enter the first and last name of the deceased in the search box. If you have difficulty, please send an email for assistance to help@shirleyandstout.com,and we will respond at our earliest opportunity.
Click Here for a list of local florists and links to their websites.
Robert James Zent
Stout & Son Funeral HomeClick here to send an email condolence to the family
Robert James Zent, 99, Kokomo, passed away peacefully at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 14, 2010, at St. Joseph Hospital, surrounded by his children.
He was born July 24, 1910, in Roanoke, to James Elmer and Alice (Sharpe) Zent.
He married Kathryn DeArmitt on July 9, 1937, in Roanoke, and she preceded him in death on July 15, 1998.
He graduated from Roanoke High School in 1928. After graduation, he joined his father in the Roanoke Ford dealership, J.E. Zent and Sons. Robert and his brother, Dwight, remained in the business until they retired in 1973. He was a lifelong member of the Roanoke Brethren Church where he served as Sunday school teacher, moderator and was elected to the office of deacon for life. He was active in local civic organizations, serving on Jackson Township Advisory Board from 1942 to 1954 and on the Board of Directors of Roanoke State Bank from 1969 to 1978. He was also active in the revitalization of Roanoke and the historic preservation of the community. He was a founder and member of the board of the Roanoke Area Heritage Center. The park outside the Roanoke Heritage Center was dedicated as Zent Commons in Robert’s honor in 1999.
He is survived by two sons, Rex (Karen) Zent, Dublin, Ohio, and Don (Deborah) Zent, Kokomo; four grandchildren, Brian (Amber) Zent, South Euclid, Ohio, John (Kelly) Zent, Pensacola, Fla, Stefanie (Seddrick) Williams, Long Island, N.Y., and Brad Hoehner, Kokomo; and two great-grandchildren, Lindsay Williams and Devin Williams.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; siblings Kenneth, Dwight, Bruce, Mildred (Kerch), Helen (Wirts), Lorena, Alice Jane, and infant Georgia; and daughter-in-law Linda Crawley Zent.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on July 24, 2010, his 100th birthday, in Roanoke.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Roanoke Brethren Church or the Roanoke Area Heritage Center.