Johnnie Louise Zachman

Johnnie Louise Zachman, 99, of Traverse City, MI, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 02, 2014, at Munson Hospice House with her son John and daughter-in-law, Peggy at her side. Johnnie was born on June 13, 1914, in Memphis, TN, to the late John Franklin Oliver and Mindia Esther (Hall) Oliver. She spent her early years with her parents and two sisters, Esther and Kathyleen, in Waco, TX. She attended Baylor University where she was a piano accompanist for music performances. In 1940 she moved to Washington D.C., where she worked for the U.S. Civil Service Commission, and met Lieutenant Roland Arthur Zachman. They were married in Roland’s hometown of Perrysburg, OH, on December 4, 1942. Their son, John Oliver Zachman, was born on October 27, 1943, in Washington D.C. Six months later, as he was returning from a Navy assignment to deliver documents to Pearl Harbor, Roland died in a plane crash outside of Flagstaff, AZ. Johnnie and her son John then moved from the nation’s capital to Perrysburg and then to Maumee, OH where she lived for the next 40 years. She received her Bachelor’s of Education degree from Bowling Green State University in 1953. She was married to William Newton French, Sr. in 1956. That marriage ended in divorce in 1970. Johnnie had started working at The Toledo State Hospital as a social worker in 1968. In 1975, while continuing her career at The Toledo State Hospital, she began pursuing post-graduate work in education. Four years later, at the age of 65, Johnnie graduated from The University of Toledo with a Master’s in Education in Guidance and Counseling. In 1983 she retired and continued living in Maumee, OH in her cozy red house, filled with her wonderful antique collection. Never one to sit still for long, Johnnie moved to Traverse City, MI in 1986 in order to be closer to her son John and his family. In addition to being a wonderful, devoted Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, Johnnie volunteered in many Traverse City organizations. Her volunteer work included The Presbyterian Church Stephens Ministry, The Dennos Museum Docent Program, The City Opera House, Friend of the Court, and Munson Medical Center Grand Traverse Area Hospice. She loved cats, flowers, birds, playing bridge with friends, and keeping in touch with family and friends through cards and notes (often with a bit of sound and friendly advice thrown in for good measure). Her last 2 years were spent at the Inverness House, of Boardman Lake Glens Assisted Living, where she was given warm and loving care from the staff and the other residents. Surviving Johnnie are her son Dr. John (Peggy) Zachman, Traverse City, MI; Grandchildren Stacy (David) Dobreff, South Haven, MI and John (Meagan Batdorff) Zachman, Suttons Bay, MI; Great Grandchildren Conrad, Jackson, and Oliver Dobreff and Dylan, Sethe, and Roland Zachman; Stepsons William (Arlene) French, Jr., Anacortes, WA and Richard (Janet) French, Maumee, OH; Grandchildren Will French, Kenmore, WA, Jennifer Kind, Tacoma, WA and Nick French, Janesville, WI, Ben French, Columbus, OH; Great Grandchildren Ben, Zack, and Sophie French and Susanna, Jonathan, and Eden Kind; sister Kathyleen Oliver Rizon, Poway, CA; and many other loving family members and friends. Johnnie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roland, and her sister Esther Oliver Higginbotham. A memorial service will be held for Johnnie on Monday, May 12, 2014, at The Presbyterian Church in Traverse City at 11am with a visitation beginning at 10am. Memorial contributions may be directed to The Presbyterian Church, 701 Westminster Rd., Traverse City, MI, or to The Dennos Museum, or to the charity of your choice. Please sign Johnnie’s online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

Johnnie Louise Zachman

June 13, 1914 - May 2, 2014