James Orville Zilles

James Orville Zilles, 89, of Fremont, OH passed away at his home with his wife at his side on Monday, June 4, 2018. He was born April 16, 1929 in Fremont to Orville and Doris (Ridley) Zilles. He was a 1947 graduate of Fremont Ross High School.

James served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was awarded the National Defense Service Ribbon; United Nations Service Ribbon; Korean Service Ribbon (1 Star) and Navy Occupation Service Ribbon (Asia).

James met Anna M. Wyss in 1982 and made her an honest woman on August 29, 1992 in Las Vegas, NV and she survives. He was employed over the years at A&P and Eckrich. James co-owned Zilles Market with his first wife on Ohio Avenue, Hillside Tavern, and Little Bar on the Prairie for many years and sold the establishment in 1996. James was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the VFW and American Legion. He loved life to its fullest, he was a diehard fan of the Detroit Lions and Tigers, loved old cars and young women.

James is survived by his wife of twenty-five years, Anna M. Zilles, Fremont, OH; children, Andrea (Jay Reeves) Bender, Wellington, OH, Cindy Smith, Akron, OH and Michael (Sally) Zilles, Boston, MA; grandchildren, Brandy (Ryan) Chittester, Rocky River, OH, Jameson Smith, Akron, OH, Carmen Zilles, New York City and Adam Chagnon, Fremont, OH; great grandsons, Broderick and Zachary Chittester.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Richard and brother and sister-in-law, Galen and Anne (Eckhardt) Zilles.

Visitation: Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E. State St. Fremont, OH 43420.

Service: Friday June 8, 2018, 10:00 am at funeral home with Lay Associate Minister Maureen Pump officiating.

Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the VFW and American Legion.

Memorials: Grace Lutheran Church, Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

View James’s Memorial Video

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