Aaron Joseph Friedel

Aaron Joseph Friedel, 99, formerly of Zion, IL and current resident of St. Joseph’s Home in Kenosha, died on Monday, October 12, 2015. Aaron was born on July 25, 1916 to Herman and Tracy Friedel in Norma, North Dakota. He and his twin sister Ann Josephine were delivered at home by their father. They lived on the prairie in Norma until his family moved to Zion, IL in 1918. Aaron has been a member at the Christ Community Church (formerly called the Christian Catholic Apostolic Church) in Zion, IL since he was a child. Aaron began sailing and working on ships in 1934 after his high school graduation, and he served in the Coast Guard (Merchant Marines) and was honorably discharged on August 15, 1945. He traveled to many places around the world, before, during and after World War II. Aaron worked as a machinist at Johnson Motors in Waukegan, IL and retired with 36 years of service. On February 18, 1936 he married Lenore Brown, and they had two sons, Wayne and Barry. They later divorced, and Aaron married Margaret Rushforth in 1954. Margaret died in March 1992, and he married Grace Watts in August 1993. Aaron will be missed by his family. His main care giver for more than the past five years has been his nephew-in-law Burton Zielinski, Sr. His niece Janis Zielinski also helped. Aaron is survived by Wayne’s wife Millie and Barry’s wife Sharon. Aaron also had many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces and great-nephews and great-nieces. Surviving Aaron is his sister Mary Friedel Magden Zinn of Kenosha. Preceding Aaron in death are his parents and his brothers Earl (in infancy), Edward, and Charles. He is also preceded by his sisters Rose (in infancy), Ann Friedel Stamm (Aaron’s twin sister), and half-sister Darlene Friedel Wasion Tisinger. Special thanks to Dr. Engstrom and his staff, along with the entire staff at the Barton Senior Residence in Zion and the St. Joseph’s Home and Rehabilitation Center in Kenosha for the Wonderful care they provided to Aaron. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 19, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lloyd Chapel at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Aaron’s name would be appreciated to the Christ Community Church.