Obituary of Steve George Zeni

Steve George Zeni, Jr, 88, of Eastern Ave, Morgantown, WV passed away Thursday, January 30, 2014 at home with his family by his side. He was born in Pursglove, WV on March 7, 1925, the son of the late Stefano Guilio and Rosa Bianca Viola Zeni, both from Cavedago, Italy. In October 2010, Steve was granted dual citizenship with the country of Italy. He was an avid gardener; winemaker; a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 548. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by granddaughter, Jessica Rose Halki O'Brien and sisters Lena Zeni Solomon and Carolyn Rose Zeni Perroots. Steve graduated from University High School in 1944. That same year, he served in the United States Army with the 757 Field Artillery Battalion as a Field Lineman. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Pfc. He worked in the coal mines and later retired from Sterling Faucet Co. He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Nettie Esther Moore Rexroad Zeni of Morgantown; one sister, Mary Zeni Campbell of Morgantown; four daughters, Janice Lynne Zeni Whitehair of Weston, WV; Rosanne Theresa Zeni of Buckeye, WV; Kathryn Marie Zeni of Raleigh, NC and Shelley Lynn Rexroad of Terra Alta,WV; 9 grandchildren, Donald Richard (Rick) Whitehair II (wife, Gina) of Colorado Springs, CO; Lucas Izaak Whitehair of Glenville, WV; Theresa Marie Halki of Morgantown; Todd Jason (wife, Alexandra) Alfonso of Vero Beach, FL; Tyler Steven Dowden of Boynton Beach, FL; and Melissa Ann, Brent Keith, Jeremy Ray and Brandon Scott Rosenberger, all of Morgantown; 8 great grandchildren, Nova Carys Whitehair; Noah Joshua Daniel; William Keegan O'Brien; Aden River and Andrew Ralph Alfonso of Vero Beach, FL; Brenlyn Elizabeth Rosenberger of Elkins, WV and Kirstyn Rae and Garrett Russell Rosenberger of Morgantown. Family and friends may call at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, WV from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb 2. On Monday, Feb. 3, Mr. Zeni will be moved to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Star City, WV where visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the celebration of the mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. with Father John V. Di Bacco, Jr. as celebrant. Burial will follow at the East Oak Grove Cemetery, Dorsey Ave, Morgantown, where full military honors will be accorded. Donations may be made in Steve's memory to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 548, 494 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV 26505 or Hospice Care, 3363 University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505.