Judy and Byron Zelt

Judith J. (Foor) Zelt and Byron W. Zelt, of Arcola, passed away together holding each other’s hands after a brief battle with COVID on December 26 and 27, 2020 at Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne.  They were known to all as Judy and Coby; Judy was 77 and Coby was 79.

Judy was born to Imogene “Jean” (Heintzelman) and Max Foor on September 20, 1943.  Judy attended and graduated from Arcola High School.  Coby was born to Della (Wissman) and Karl Zelt on April 2, 1941.  Coby attended and graduated from New Haven High School.  As young adults, Judy and Coby met and fell in love while working at Montgomery Ward and were married on January 20, 1962.  Judy worked for many years at Canterbury School and then later at a doctor’s office.  Coby retired from Briggs & Stratton Corporation after selling lawn and garden equipment throughout the tri-state region for over 20 years.

Judy and Coby raised their three sons Kevin, Terry and Brent in Fort Wayne.  They enjoyed time with family and friends camping at area lakes and later at their place on Chapman Lake.  After retirement, they enjoyed some warm winters in Sun City Arizona and Fort Myers Florida, making friends wherever they went. Both Judy and Coby were volunteers and helpers throughout their lives and loved participating in activities at Gethsemane Lutheran Church including “The Table” where it was not uncommon to see Coby helping from 9 in the morning until the doors were closed at night. Coby was a proud member of the Arcola Lions Club.

Judy and Coby were preceded in death by their parents.  They are survived by their three sons, Kevin (Ann) Zelt, Terry (Kathy) Zelt, and Brent (Jenny) Zelt; their five grandsons, Nick, Coty (Ashley), Byron “Nash”, Jake, and Brian and two great-grandchildren, Kinley and Carter. Judy is also survived by her brother, Steven (Tonya) Foor; and Coby by his brothers, Lowell (Gail) Zelt, David (Brenda) Zelt and Wayne (Jan) Zelt.

The family of Judy and Coby would like to extend their sincere thanks to the Pastor and members of Gethsemane Lutheran Church and to the doctors, nurses and social workers who went above and beyond in their care of Judy and Coby in their last weeks.

A private service for family will be held out of respect for health concerns. Their service may be watched on Facebook by searching Gethsemane Lutheran Church Fort Wayne on Thursday afternoon. A Celebration of Life event will be held later.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in their memory to the Arcola Lion’s Club, Arcola Fire Department or Gethsemane Lutheran Church. Donations may be mailed to DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Dr., Columbia City. Visit www.DeMoneyGrimes.com to the family online condolences or sign the online guest book.