David A. Zelinsky, 42, Avid camping enthusiast and enjoyed golf and travel

David A. Zelinsky, age 42, of Columbia Township, died Tuesday February 11, 2003 at his residence following an illness of two years. He was born February 28, 1960 in Berea, Ohio and had been a resident of Columbia Township since 1978 coming from Strongsville.

He was a 1978 graduate of Strongsville High School where he was a member of the concert choir and the Minstrels Chorale. He also participated in the drama program where he performed in a variety of musical productions including Oklahoma.

In 1979 he joined the Columbia Township Fire Department as a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician. He was later promoted to the post of Lieutenant and subsequently to his current rank of Captain within the department. He was honored as Firefighter of the Year in 1981 and had served as Columbia Township's E.M.T. Hospital Coordinator at Southwest General Hospital. He sat on the Board of the Lorain County Hazardous Materials Response Team and was a member of the North Central Fireman's Association as well as a former member of the Lorain County Arson Investigation's Association.

Mr. Zelinsky was a charter member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church where he had previously served as Director of the Parish Youth group as well as a member of the Parish Council.

For the past 19 year he had been employed by the Hy Production Corporation of Valley City, Ohio where he served most recently as the company's controller. He had previously been employed as a machinist for Dearborn Inc., of Berea, and Columbia Nail and Wire Products of Columbia Station. He had also been employed as a school bus driver for the Columbia Local Schools.

He was a social member of V.F.W. Post #9340 of Columbia Station and an avid camping enthusiast; additional interests included golf and all forms of travel.

He is survived by his wife of 9 years; Lynda (nee Hennie), a son: Matthew at home, a daughter: Jaimie at home, father and step-mother: Raymond J. and Dolores (nee Green-Bing) Zelinsky of Columbia Station, sisters: Mrs. Frank (Brenda) Browske of North Eaton, Mrs. Jeffrey (Diane) Shimo of Lorain, and Mrs. Greg (Karen) Braianas of Valley City, step-brothers: Randy Bing of Medina, Richard "Rick" Bing of North Ridgeville, and Mrs. Kenneth (Sherril) Rundle of Medina. He was preceded in death by his mother Barbara J. (nee Duktig) Zelinsky in 1987.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday in the Bauer-Laubenthal Funeral Home - 38475 Chestnut Ridge Road. Funeral services will be beginning at 9:15 a.m. in the funeral home and will be followed by his funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church - 25801 Royalton Road. The Reverend Charles Ryba, pastor of the church will officiate. Burial will follow in Columbia Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the David A. Zelinsky Memorial Fund in care of the Columbia Station Branch of First Merit Bank - 26570 Royalton Road - Columbia Station, Ohio 44028.