Marinda (Eckel) Zera, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on July 11, 2024, in Bowling Green, Ohio, at the age of 73. Born on November 16, 1950, in Toledo, Ohio, to Dolores (Fuller) Eckel and Paul A. Eckel, Marinda lived a life full of love, family, and community.
Marinda graduated from Rossford High School in 1968, where she was involved in many organizations and was Homecoming Queen, then attended BGSU. She married the love of her life, Richard Zera, on July 11, 1970, and they were celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary on the day of her passing.
Together, they built a beautiful family, raising three wonderful children: Jason (Holly) Zera of Bowling Green, Ohio, Tammi Zera (Roeder) of Rossford, Ohio, and Russell (Katie) Zera of Marlton Lakes, New Jersey. Marinda was a devoted grandmother (Mimi) to her four beloved grandchildren: Abby, Anna, Juliet, and Reese.
Marinda was also a loving sister to Ron Eckel of Marblehead, Ohio, and a dear sister-in-law to Kathy Eckel and Ron Zera (Lynn). She is preceded in death by her parents, Dolores and Paul A. Eckel Sr, and her brother, Paul A. Eckel Jr.
Marinda had a fulfilling career as School Librarian, and before that School Secretary, positions in which she took great pride. She was known as Mrs. Mimi, the “Hug Trap” to hundreds of students. She also dedicated many years of service to St. Aloysius Church and School, where she performed a variety of roles, contributing to the church community she cherished.
Marinda had a passion for crafting and scrapbooking, finding joy in creating beautiful memories for her loved ones. She had a deep love for the water, particularly Lake Erie at her family’s campground, and found peace and happiness in gardening. Marinda was a people person, enjoying many social activities with friends and family, maintaining close ties with her high school classmates through regular lunches and actively participating in numerous church activities.
Marinda was a fan of both the arts and sports, particularly when her children or grandchildren were involved, whether athletics, music, marching band, or frequent trips to Broadway when they lived in Pennsylvania. Her vibrant spirit and unwavering dedication to her family, faith and community will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Visitation for Marinda will be held on July 16, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home, 1460 W. Wooster Street, Bowling Green, Ohio. Her funeral service will be on July 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Aloysius Church, 150 S Enterprise St, Bowling Green, Ohio, with interment to immediately follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Aloysius School Fund.
