Orlando Zapata Garza

GARZA, Orlando Zapata age 59, of Stryker, Ohio joined his parents in heaven on August 12, 2011. He was a beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather of seven beautiful grandchildren. Orlando was born to Oscar and Petra Garza on August 28, 1951 in Elsa, Texas. He moved with his family to Swanton, Ohio as a young boy. He graduated from Swanton High School and Penta County JVS in 1971. In 1970, he married his high school sweetheart Kathy Thatcher of Holland, Ohio. They would have been married 41 years on September 1 and have three children. He was a proud senior lineman with IBEW Local #245 serving 36 ½ years with Toledo Edison’s Wauseon branch before retiring in 2009. His greatest joy was being a PaPa that cherished and played his grandchildren. He also enjoyed his toys including his 1970 FLH Harley and a 1969 440 Roadrunner. Despite his long battle with Diabetes, he was always working on something and was most happy camping with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy (Thatcher); children, Melanie, Stefanie (Eric) Ankney, and Orlando II; seven grandchildren, Brooke, Tara, Jeremiah, Justin, Codey, Mercedes, and Allison. He is also survived by his brother Oscar (Sue); sister, Olga (Dwight) Whitt; and brother-in-law Cal Hetrick. He is preceded in death by his sister, Lala Hetrick; brothers, Osvaldo and Ruben; nephews, Louis and Tony, and niece, Laurie.

Friends and family will be received on Wednesday, August 17 from 2 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. and services will be Thursday, August 18 at 11 a.m., at Neville Funeral Home, 7438 Airport Hwy, Holland, OH. (419-865-8879). Burial will follow at St. Richard Cemetery, Swanton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nevillefuneralhome.com