Eric Paul Zahn of Bolivar Missouri went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 25th, 2024. Born in Salt Lake City Utah on August 6th, 1958 to Robert and Barbara Zahn (Peters) he was the second of six children. In 1961 the family moved to Springfield Missouri where Eric was raised. As a child Eric spent most of hisContinue Reading
Eric Paul Zahn of Bolivar Missouri went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 25th, 2024. Born in Salt Lake City Utah on August 6th, 1958 to Robert and Barbara Zahn (Peters) he was the second of six children. In 1961 the family moved to Springfield Missouri where Eric was raised.
As a child Eric spent most of his time outdoors, enthralled by wildlife and plants of every kind. He was a life long learner, but did so better outside the walls of a classroom. He graduated from Parkview High School in 1976 and went on to study biology at Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU). As a young adult he could be found playing tennis or softball, hiking, teaching children’s Sunday school at Kings Way United Methodist Church, singing in a gospel band (God’s Love), or working as an orderly (nurses aid) at St. John’s hospital.
In March of 1985, while working at St. John’s, Eric met the love of his life Shana Long while he was helping care for her 4 month old baby girl, Mandy. Eric claimed love at first sight for both Mandy and Shana and the two were united in marriage just six months later on, September 14, 1985. Their marriage was abundant in love, mutual respect and most importantly, laughter. Eric and Shana were known to spend their free time on the river, sitting on the front porch listening to music of all kinds, two stepping in the kitchen and staying up way too late to talk about anything and everything, and their four children were always included in this “free time”. They were teammates and very best friends. Their 38 years together were exceptional years.
Eric was a devoted and gentle father. Growing up, his children could talk to him about anything, judgment free. They were eager to learn from him and he left them with a love for music, nature, Jesus and so much more. His devotion to his children overflowed to his grandchildren, he was “Opa” to eleven, and they too enjoyed his intentional, meaningful and knowledgeable conversation.
Eric will be missed beyond measure. He never met a stranger and to know him was to love him.
Eric was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Robert and Barbara Zahn, his father and mother in law Hurble and Patricia Long, son in law Michael Freeman, sister in law Annette Zahn, nephew James Long and niece Nita McClure.
He is survived by his wife, Shana Zahn (Long), four children and two son in laws Mandy Miller (Zach), Krista Miller (Ben), Kendra Freeman and Karl Zahn. Eleven Grandchildren Cheyenne Miller, Colton Miller, Maddy Miller, Addy Miller, Sam Miller, Adam Miller, Darby Freeman, Jayden Miller, James Miller, Briar Freeman and Audrey Freeman. Five siblings and their spouses, Brian Zahn (Kim), Larry Zahn (Nancy), Rebecca Pamperien (Kelvin), Josh Zahn (Sharon) and Rachel Stone (Tom). Three brother in laws and their wives Jim Long (Sissy), David Long, and Stephen Long (Wanda). 21 nieces and nephews, and an abundance of other family and friends.
Services will be held at Northside Christian Church on Thursday February 29th, 2024 with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and funeral at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will immediately follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pregnancy Care Center in Springfield MO.
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