William W. Zumbar's Obituary
William W. Zumbar, 75, of Alliance, died on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 8:40 a.m. in the Emergency Room at Alliance Community Hospital. He was born on April 7, 1935 in Alliance and lived in Alliance most of his life. Mr. Zumbar was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. A 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army from 1957 - 1959, he spent two tours on active duty as an army officer specializing in strategic military intelligence while assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency. Following his honorable discharge, he continued his service in the U. S. Army Reserve. Mr. Zumbar retired as Associate Professor of History at Walsh University where he taught from 1969 - 2005. He was a Graduate of Loyola University of Chicago and Kent State University. He was also a specialist in Russian History. He initiated the Pre-Law Program at Walsh University and served as its director for 25 years. He was named the 2000 Educator of the Year at Walsh University. The Canton Bar Association awarded him the Liberty Bell Award in 1988 in recognition for his outstanding contribution to law for directing the Pre-Law Program at Walsh. Internationally recognized as a hybridizer of Hosta, he introduced many varieties of Hosta, especially miniatures. He was a Life Member of the American Hosta Society; member of the American Rose Society, Buckeye District of the ARS, Stark Rose Society, and the Mahoning Valley Dahlia Society. He was a life accredited judge of the American Hosta Society and the American Rose Society. He received the Outstanding Judge Award for the Buckeye District of the American Rose Society in 2004. Mr. Zumbar was Chairman of the Carnation Festival Flower Show from 2000 - 2010 and a member of the Alliance Area Republican Club, where he was a longtime precinct committeeman for the Republican Party. He was also a former committee member of Boy Scout Troop 50 at Christ United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Angela A. (Bett) Zumbar, whom he married on June 13, 1964; his children, Adrian Zumbar, Andrew (Michelle) Zumbar, Annalisa Zumbar and Alexander Zumbar; his grandchildren, Parker, Payton, Anna, Anthony and Adam; his brother Ronald (Irene) Zumbar; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, William and Nellie (Fedor) Zumbar. The family will receive friends at Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home on Thursday, February 24, 2011 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Friday, February 25, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with the Rev. Donald L. Feicht, as celebrant. Interment, with military honors provided by the Alliance American Legion Post 166 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1036, will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home, 1000 S. Union Avenue, Alliance, Ohio 44601. This obituary may be viewed and condolences may be sent to the family online at www.sharerfuneralhome.com
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