Joseph John Zecha, 89, died Jan. 21, at Great Bend Regional Hospital. Born Oct. 25, 1925, in Claflin, he was the son of Emil R. and Mary Theresa (Kinzel) Zecha. A Great Bend resident for the past year and half, living in Denver, Colo. for 50 years, he was an auto mechanic for Montgomery Ward, retiring in 1990. He was a fine example of charity to almost everyone he met, befriending numerous persons in need throughout his life. He was an animal lover, especially dogs.
 Mr. Zecha was a United States Army veteran, serving during World War II. He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend.
Survivors include two brothers, Norbert Zecha of Portland, Ore. and Bernard Zecha of Cheyenne, Wyo.; four sisters, Marcella “Sally” Vink, Clarissa Blessing, and Bernice Henderson, all of Great Bend,  and Ethel Ricker of Nashville; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Irvin Zecha and Norman Zecha.
A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Louis Trung Dinh Hoang celebrating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend with military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to Prince of Peace Parish or Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
    
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home*
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS  67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Jan. 22, 2015