Obituary for John Wirth Zittel
John W. Zittel, 83, passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at Paoli Hospital. He was the husband of the late Carol (Faith) Zittel, for 59 years.
Born in Queens, New York, he was the son of John W. and Emma C. (Wirth) Zittel. In addition to his wife, John was predeceased by his oldest sister, Lois Graf.
John is survived by his sons, Kenneth and John Zittel, his sister, Doris Anderson, son-in-law William Montgomery, and two grandchildren, Kira and Kyle.
John graduated from Queens Vocational High School in New York in 1956. He served in the United States Army in active duty for six months at Fort Dix New Jersey, then in the Army Reserve for eight years. He became a police officer with the New York City Police Department in 1963 and served for 21 years, retiring from the 108th precinct in Long Island City in 1984.
John met the love of his life, Carol Garley, in 1957 in a candy store where she worked. They dated for four years and got married July 23, 1961. They moved to Flushing for two years, then to Westbury until 1967, then to Seaford for 17 years where they raised their two sons.
After moving to Pennsylvania in 1988, John spent many years alongside his wife as self-employed antique dealers, most recently in a co-op at Adams Antiques in Denver, PA. John and Carol frequented many antique auctions over the years, and participated in various antique shows in several different states. Their perfect partnership earned them success in their business and many dear friends. Among John’s favorite antiques were toys, banks, carnival glass, advertising, and candy jars.
In his free time, John greatly enjoyed tennis, often playing doubles with his son John. His big lefty serve and crazy topspin often frustrated his opponents. Never one to sit idly, John spent much time working on home projects, and traveling when possible. For many years, he also enjoyed other hobbies such as bowling, following the stock market, and racing his Austin Healey at Maple Grove Raceway. He loved watching football and was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers. Rarely would John be seen without wearing a Packers shirt or hat, shouting “Go Pack!”
Though known for his sense of humor and warm personality, John was most of all a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was outgoing, humble, and always on the go. After his wife’s passing in 2020, he enjoyed his final years at Shannondell Retirement Community in Audubon, Pennsylvania where he made new friends and played lots of Rummikub.
Viewing will take place on Friday May 6th 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. Amy S. Landis, Certified Celebrant, will officiate. (https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/john-zittel)
Attendants are encouraged to wear Green Bay Packers clothes, or anything green and yellow. Interment will follow at Wyomissing Cemetery, in Gouglersville PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
Born in Queens, New York, he was the son of John W. and Emma C. (Wirth) Zittel. In addition to his wife, John was predeceased by his oldest sister, Lois Graf.
John is survived by his sons, Kenneth and John Zittel, his sister, Doris Anderson, son-in-law William Montgomery, and two grandchildren, Kira and Kyle.
John graduated from Queens Vocational High School in New York in 1956. He served in the United States Army in active duty for six months at Fort Dix New Jersey, then in the Army Reserve for eight years. He became a police officer with the New York City Police Department in 1963 and served for 21 years, retiring from the 108th precinct in Long Island City in 1984.
John met the love of his life, Carol Garley, in 1957 in a candy store where she worked. They dated for four years and got married July 23, 1961. They moved to Flushing for two years, then to Westbury until 1967, then to Seaford for 17 years where they raised their two sons.
After moving to Pennsylvania in 1988, John spent many years alongside his wife as self-employed antique dealers, most recently in a co-op at Adams Antiques in Denver, PA. John and Carol frequented many antique auctions over the years, and participated in various antique shows in several different states. Their perfect partnership earned them success in their business and many dear friends. Among John’s favorite antiques were toys, banks, carnival glass, advertising, and candy jars.
In his free time, John greatly enjoyed tennis, often playing doubles with his son John. His big lefty serve and crazy topspin often frustrated his opponents. Never one to sit idly, John spent much time working on home projects, and traveling when possible. For many years, he also enjoyed other hobbies such as bowling, following the stock market, and racing his Austin Healey at Maple Grove Raceway. He loved watching football and was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers. Rarely would John be seen without wearing a Packers shirt or hat, shouting “Go Pack!”
Though known for his sense of humor and warm personality, John was most of all a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was outgoing, humble, and always on the go. After his wife’s passing in 2020, he enjoyed his final years at Shannondell Retirement Community in Audubon, Pennsylvania where he made new friends and played lots of Rummikub.
Viewing will take place on Friday May 6th 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. Amy S. Landis, Certified Celebrant, will officiate. (https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/john-zittel)
Attendants are encouraged to wear Green Bay Packers clothes, or anything green and yellow. Interment will follow at Wyomissing Cemetery, in Gouglersville PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.