George Robert Zabel

George died peacefully, Saturday afternoon, surrounded by his loving family. He was a very loving husband, father, and grandfather who was blessed with additional years of life after a near fatal heart attack 20 years ago. George was a �miracle man� beating the odds of not being expected to live more than two hours. The family has felt blessed by God to have had these extra years with him. He had many interests and participated in many activities throughout his life. George loved to fly. During his high school years, he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, took flying lessons and soloed as a teenager. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at George Air Force Base in California from 1956-1960.�George was a pilot with a Commercial Pilot�s License and shared his knowledge and love of flying by being a flight instructor, teaching and soloing many students while he and his family were living on, and managing, the Platteville Municipal Airport during the late 1960�s to early 1970�s.�He owned airplanes on and off throughout his life. The last was a family project�a Homebuilt Replica of an Antique Warbird, a Nieuport 11, which after completion, he took to the EAA airshow for display in Oshkosh, WI. He was a member of the EAA, the EAA Warbirds of America, Life Member of the Air Force Association, the American Legion, and a Life Member of the 32nd Division Veteran Association.�George also loved shooting sports which he shared with his children and grandchildren. He participated frequently in Cowboy Action Shooting with his daughter using the alias �Carbine Curly Kincaid�, and also in black powder shoots winning several ribbons at the Beloit Rifle Club where he was a member for several years. In addition to the Beloit Rifle Club, he was a member of the WI Muzzleloading Association, National Muzzleloading Association, Single Action Shooting Society, Second Amendment Foundation, and an Endowment Member of the NRA.�When not watching his Westerns, for relaxation, George loved riding his Harley with the love of his life, Jean. He rode up until about 3 years ago and was a�Life Member of the American Motorcyclists Association. George is survived by his beloved wife Jean, daughters; Tina (John �Butch�) Glass, Toni (Russell) Frye; a son, George M. Zabel; grandchildren: Michael (Cassandra) Felton, Mari (Nathan) Rogers, Crystal (Mark) Duran, James Shaw, Christopher Zabel; great-grandchildren: Naomi, Brianna, Vanden, Brooklyn, Hunter, Dash, Micah, Terra; and Special Life-long friends Terry Thompson and Marvin Carlson.�George was preceded in death by his father, George W. Zabel, and mother, Nellie M. (Blizzard) Zabel. Special thanks to God, Dr. Paul Volkert of Mercy Cardiology, the Mercy Hospital Staff who cared for him during his recent stays, the Mercy Hospice volunteer for the special Veteran �pinning� celebration, and for the compassion and assistance from the Hospice nurses to George and the family in his last days of life. Funeral services will be held at the D.L. Newcomer Funeral Home, 1105 E. 9th Ave., Brodhead on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 12:00 PM Noon. A visitation will also take place at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Pastor Gary Shields will officiate. Burial will conclude at the Greenwood Cemetery in Brodhead.�

George Robert Zabel

January 1, 1937 - March 11, 2017