Captain Philip Zitzelman, 79, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2005. A graveside funeral service was held for Captain Zitzelman at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2005, at Leila United Methodist Church Cemetery in Omega, where he was laid to rest. the Rev. Earl Buckholtz officiated.
Born December 22, 1925, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Captain Zitzelman was the son of the late Frederick Zitzelman and Lucille Battenberg Zitzelman. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Lenora Lindsey Zitzelman, who passed away May 23, 1996; and one brother, Karl Zitzelman. He retired as a Captain in the United States Navy, where he served as a fighter pilot. He was a Shriner, where he was a clown to entertain children. He was a Mason; a Boy Scout leader; a coach; and a member of the Association of Naval Aviators.
Captain Zitzelman is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Philip and Connie Zitzelman of California, Maryland; two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Keith Hoffman of Richland, Washington and laura and Thomas Prior of Atlanta; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Salvation Army.