Michael L. Zinke

Michael L Zinke born on June 1, 1945, to Otto L. and Gertrude (Dzbinski) Zinke. Mike graduated from Waterford Union High School in 1963 with classmates and friends, Jule Alby, Dennis Gauger and John Benavides. He served in the US Navy from 1965 through 1969 and attained the rank of MM3. He served on the USS New Jersey off the coast of VietNam. It was later discovered that he was exposed to Agent Orange which is believed to be the catalyst to his Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) diagnosis.

Upon returning home, he enrolled in the carpenter apprenticeship program through Gateway and found his lifelong career. He was a member of Union Local #161. He then met and married his wife, Sharlene A. (Baumeister) Zinke on February 17, 1973. He was blessed with two daughters, Kelsey K. (Peter) Stocks and Denise M. (James)Prochniak. They were his tomboys and learned about hunting, nature, ice fishing, and how to be a good human being from their dad. Together they also raised and bred pigeons and had the Grand Champion at the State Fair. He demonstrated many of those same skills with his grandsons, Sawyer Otto Castin Stocks, and Weston Michael Peter Stocks. His family was his pride and joy.

Later in life, Mike worked for a number of years in sporting goods at Walmart, Delavan. He truly enjoyed educating new hunters and providing them with the equipment necessary for a successful hunt. He was an avid fisherman and could fit a rod and reel for a good catch.

He was a member of the Burlington Retirement Committee which entailed breakfast on the first Tuesday of the month with his cousin, Ken Peper, special friends, Elmer Baumeister and Bill Goetz, and then rounding out the crew with Rick Maerzke, Paul Warick, and newest member, Wally Fischbach. They discussed the problems of the world and how to fix them, whilst sharing a meal and deep friendship.

In the spring of 2018, he was excited to embark on the Honor Flight with his daughter, Kelsey. They made many memories that day and he spoke of it often and told any veteran he met that they should try to make the trip. 

In the fall of 2018, he was diagnosed with a GI junction carcinoma which resulted in the removal of his stomach and 1/3 of his colon. Despite an arduous journey through chemo and surgery, he maintained a very positive attitude and made the best of his life, albeit 100 lbs lighter.

Most recently, he contracted sepsis and was hospitalized for a few weeks. He had returned home for a short time and it was discovered that his shoulder was reinfected. At that time, a decision was made to transition to comfort care through inpatient hospice at BMH where he subsequently completed his earthly journey on November 15, 2024.

In addition to his immediate family, Mike leaves to cherish his memory, his sister, Pat Allen, nieces, Tammy Allen, Teri Stack, and Debbie Bower, and nephew Scott Allen, and their families. 

Mike was blessed with extended family, namely: Gilbert (Missy) Baumeister, Cindy (Chuck) Giammo and her son, Peter A. (Cori) Toman and their daughter, Ensley Lucille Toman, Robert (Julie) Baumeister, and their children, Robert (Traci Haney), Bailey, and Maddie Baumeister, and Vicki (Ed) Barels and their children, Brooke Barels and Brady Barels. Last, but certainly not least, he will be missed by his granddogs, Pixie and Birdie Prochniak, and Hazel and Thelma Stocks.

Mike was predeceased by his parents, infant sister, Gloria, father-in-law, Gilbert Baumeister, mother-in-law, Lucille Baumeister on November 12, 2024, sister-in-law, Kim Baumeister, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Memorial visitation will be held 10:30AM-11:45AM Thursday, November 21, 2024 at MEALY-STENCEL FUNERAL HOME (225 W. Main Street Waterford, WI 53185), with a funeral service to follow at 12PM. Private family inurnment Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

• Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home
• 225 W. Main Street Waterford, WI 53185
• (262) 534-2233
• www.stencelfh.com