Joseph B. Zarse, 79, formerly of Chalmers, died Thursday, March 11, in Murdock Manor Healthcare, Lafayette.

He was born Dec. 26. 1919, to William and Martha Kruger Zarse, in Chalmers.  He was married April 30, 1939, to Dortha James in Reynolds, and she survives.

He had lived in the Chalmers area all his life.

He had farmed all his life and lived on the family farm for 41 years.  He measured farm ground and grain bins for the ASCS office in the 1950s.

He was a lifetime member of the St. James Lutheran Church in Reynolds. where he was a former church board member. He had also served as sexton of the St. James Lutheran Cemetery several terms. He also volunteered in the kitchen at most church dinners.

He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Mrs Marvin (Jean A.) McCollum of Wolcott; a son, Robert Joe, of Reynolds; a sister, Malinda Huffman of Winamac; three brothers, Walter of Brookston, Herbert of Reynolds and Harold of Lafayette; five grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

Two brothers and a sister are deceased.

Funeral services were Monday in St. James Lutheran Church with the Rev. Stephen E. Koenig officiating. Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home was in charge of the service..

Burial was in the Lutheran Cemetery,Reynolds.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Lutheran Cemetery Fund.