Paul Albert Zielinski

Paul Albert Zielinski, 71, of Auxvasse, finished his journey on earth to begin his new eternal life on March 21, 2017 at the Harry S. Truman Veteran's Hospital in Columbia surrounded by his loving family. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three months prior and put up a brave and gallant fight and lost the battle to this vicious foe. Paul was born January 24, 1946 in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England, son of Albert Alphonse and Daphne Jean (English) Zielinski. He came to the United States at three months of age on the ship called the Queen Mary. Locating to Shamokin, Pennsylvania until 1957 when his family relocated to Bowling Green, Mo. where he found a new love for farming and raising animals, raising pigs especially. He was known as the boy from town who took a taxi to feed his pigs at a rented pig lot. After his parent's divorced he went to both Bowling Green High School and Herrin High School in Herrin, Illinois. He enlisted in the Army in 1963 and spent most of his enlistment in Germany with Army Intelligence attaining the rank of E-5 prior to being honorably discharged. He married Patricia Ann Barnes on August 17, 1968 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Jackson, Tenn. and she survives. After his marriage he furthered his education becoming a manufacturing engineer. He worked for Emmerson Electric and Rockwell International before moving to Columbia, Mo. in 1979 for a position with Square D Company. Eventually he became a self-employed contract engineer. He was active with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Junior Achievement at Hallsville High School, the Boy Scouts of America and Ducks Unlimited. His passions in life were his family, hunting, photography, drawing and painting. He loved that a few of his grandchildren inherited his love for hunting and art. He was always proud to be a veteran and an American. He is survived by his wife; two sons, Michael Zielinski (Stephanie) of Holts Summit, and Christopher Zielinski (Debbie), and one daughter, Lori Ann Matheney (Rob) both of Columbia; 12 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; step-father, Carl Stone; brother, Mike Stone; sister, Jan Marie Stone; and aunt, Joan Kalejta. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Beau, and "grand-dogs", Brady and Hank, who gave him much pleasure in his final days. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with a visitation from 10:00 until service time. Services will conclude with full military honors. Online condolences may be left for the family at Memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com