ZALLER, RICHARD STANLEY, Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 12, 2018 at St. Jerome Parish, 15000 Lake Shore Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44110. Visitation will be THURSDAY FROM 4-8 PM at JAKUBS & SON FUNERAL HOME, 936 E. 185TH ST., CLEVELAND. Mr. Zaller passed away on January 7, 2018, at Slovene Home, at the age of 86.
Always relentlessly active, Richie started out repairing and selling bicycles during the Great Depression. He graduated from Collinwood High School and served in the US Army during the Korean War. He founded a thriving service station, used car sales, and towing business, which he energetically operated with his brothers, Frank and Bill, known as Zaller’s Brothers Garage and Cornwall Motors on E. 185th Street, for more than half a century.
Devoted husband of Mary Lou, he was married for over 50 years, and when her health declined, Richie became Mary Lou's dedicated caregiver. An avid boater, owning many speed boats and yachts, Richie served as commodore of Catawba Island Club (1982) and cruised the Great Lakes with Mary Lou as his navigator. He loved playing the button box and was happiest as the life of the party.
He is survived by his daughters, Melissa Zaller (Steven Tyler), Michelle Vanderaar (Mark), and his granddaughter, Katie. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou, daughter, Lisa, and parents, Frank and Mary Zaller (née Hegler). Brother of Carolyn (Albin) Janezich (both deceased), Helen (Stanley) Pakiz (both deceased), Frank (Lucille) Zaller (both deceased), William (deceased) (Betty) Zaller; sister-in-law Sophie Zaller (deceased) and her daughter, Donna Zaller. Interment will be private.
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