Carl Zane Zoba

Carl Zane Zoba, 79, a life-long Warren resident recently residing in Ross, CA, died on Sunday, November 28, 2010 after a long battle with Alzheimer's.

He was born in Girard, Ohio on July 25, 1931 to his late parents Victor and Grace (Johnston) Zoba, Carl spent most of his life in Warren, OH. He graduated in 1950 from Warren G. Harding High School, after which he joined the US Air Force. As a young man, he enjoyed a successful career as a boxer. As an amateur, Carl was a Golden Gloves and Air Force champion; he concluded his career as a professional and was later inducted into the Warren Boxing Hall of Fame. Carl was also an outstanding fast-pitch, softball player as he was invited to tour with the famed "King and His Court" professional traveling team.

Upon leaving the Air Force, Carl joined the fire department in Warren, Ohio, where he was greatly loved and respected by the courageous men with whom he served. He retired as Assistant Chief in 1981.Carl was also an energetic entrepreneur as he owned and operated several businesses in Warren, including Economy Drain Service. He was an active, lifelong member of the North Park Baptist Church and participated in countless community programs. In his later years, he continued to enjoy participating in sports as he was an avid golfer, fisherman, and a beloved member of the Packard Park tennis group.

In 1950 he married Barbara Williams with whom he enjoyed 55 years of marriage until her passing in 2005. He is survived by four children: David Zoba (Elizabeth) of Tiburon, CA, Carla Joy Mistele (Thomas) of Ross, CA, Robert Zoba (Christie) of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Holly Zoba of Columbus, OH. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, one great grandchild, his brother Gene Zoba (Shirley) of Warren, OH, and his three sisters, Dolores Jaussen (Paul) of Greenville, PA, Justine McClurg (Ronald) of Warren, OH, and Carolyn Todd (Samuel) of North Canton, OH.

Services will be held Saturday, December 4th, 10:30 AM at the McFarland & Son Funeral Home. Family and friends may call Friday, from 5pm until 8 pm at the funeral home. Carl's son, Rev. Robert Zoba, and the Rev. James Baer of North Park Baptist Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Crown Hill Burial Park, Vienna.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Barbara Ann and Carl Zoba Scholarship Fund, c/o Warren City Schools Foundation, Office of the Superintendent, 105 High St. Warren, OH, 44481.

Arrangements are entrusted to The McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.