Joseph F. “Joe” Zollinger, age 77, of Hays, Kansas died Monday, September 28, 2020, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. He was born January 5, 1943, in Laverne, Oklahoma, to Claude and Mildred (Mitchell) Zollinger. He married Euleta (Grice) on May 18, 1962, at Arnett, Oklahoma.
Joe taught high school Speech/Drama/Debate for 18 years at Stanton County High School in Johnson, Kansas. He entertained students by “keeping an eye” on them and with his many stories and jokes. He grew up in Laverne, and was a 1961 graduate of Laverne High School. He received his Master’s Degree in Education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma. He lived in Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas and moved to Hays from Coldwater in 2004. He enjoyed reading and collecting treasures from garage sales and auctions. He loved his family and spending time with them.
Survivors include his wife, Euleta Zollinger, of the home; one son, Bryan Zollinger, Hays, KS; one daughter, Amy Wasinger and husband, Todd, Antonino, Ks; three granddaughters, Kylee Childs (Jeff), Marisa Wasinger, Niyah Zollinger; one great granddaughter, Kezlee Pfannenstiel; three brothers, Veldon Zollinger & Wilda, Crescent, OK; Junior Zollinger and Donna, Woodward, OK; Rocky Zollinger, Crescent, OK; one sister, Shirley Grunewald, Crescent, OK; and one sister-in-law, Wanda Zollinger, Laverne, OK.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard Zollinger and Bill Zollinger; and one infant sister, Shirlene Zollinger.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a private memorial service and inurnment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas in care of the mortuary.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected] or can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com