1925 - 2017
COOPERSTOWN - William Henry Zoeller, owner of Lake Front Hotel and Cooperstown Marine, passed away Sunday evening, September 17, 2017, at his home in Lakeland Shores surrounded by his family. He was 92.
Born March 10, 1925, in Ozone Park, Queens, Bill was the only child of Michael G. and Lena P. (Schreiner) Zoeller.
After graduating from high school, Bill entered into active service with the United States Army Air Corps and proudly served his country during World War II. During his time in the military, Sgt. Zoeller flew 19 missions in B-24 bombers, including one that was shot down.
On July 8, 1950, Bill married Haidy Engelmann in Brooklyn.
He was first employed as a photoengraver, and did work for various magazines and publications.
In 1952, Bill and Haidy moved to Cooperstown, and in June 1955 the Lake Front Motel -- operated by Bill and his father-in-law, Alfred W. Engelmann -- formally opened to the public. Bill and Haidy also owned and operated Cooperstown Marine, building and shipping boats to the New York City area.
Bill was a faithful member of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartwick Seminary. He was also dedicated to the Cooperstown community and served on the village Board of Trustees in the early 1970s.
A consummate entrepreneur, he truly enjoyed owning and operating his businesses as well as interacting with customers and staff on a daily basis. His presence will be greatly missed.
Bill is survived by his wife of 67 years, Haidy Zoeller; a daughter, Paula L. Wikoff and husband, Terry; a son, Alfred M. "Fred" Zoeller; five grandchildren, Tulsa Wikoff and husband, Joseph Lepetich, Alexander Zoeller and wife, Suzana, Lonnie Zoeller and wife, Jennifer, Christian Zoeller and wife, Marissa, and Brett Zoeller and wife, Lauren; 6 great grandchildren, Kohlee, Knox, Remini, Sophia, Aaliyah and Wesley.
The Rite of the Burial of the Dead with Holy Communion will be offered at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 21, 2017, at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartwick Seminary, with the Rev. Paul R. Messner, S.T.S, pastor officiating.
The Service of Commital and Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Zoeller and Engelmann Family Plot in Hartwick Seminary Cemetery.
As an alternative to flowers, the Zoeller family respectfully requests that memorial donations be directed to Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4636 State Highway 28, Hartwick Seminary, NY 13326 or Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
