M.E. (Estel) Zumwalt

M.E. (Estel) Zumwalt was born August 15, 1921 to Henry and Mae Stewart Zumwalt in Polk, Missouri. Estel grew up on a family farm in Polk, Missouri. He enjoyed life on the farm where he soon learned the value of hard work as well as the benefits of living in a rural setting where there was always good food and comforts of being surrounded by family. He later attended school in Bolivar, Missouri and graduated from Bolivar High School in 1938. Upon the completion of his studies he took control of the family farm and guided its operation from 1938 until the eve of World War II in 1941. He enlisted in the Army in September of 1942. Estel proudly served his country in the 119th Infantry, 30th division. He landed on Omaha Beach 7 days after D-day on June 13, 1944. He survived many battles scattered across Europe including the Battle of the Bulge all the way until V-E Day. During his tour of Duty he was awarded 6 Bronze Campaign Stars, Bronze Star with a Cluster, 1 Silver Star, 1 Purple Heart and 1 French Croix de Guerre. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945. Upon the completion of his military service, Estel returned home where he began the MFA Artificial Insemination program in the Bolivar area in 1946. Later that same year he bought and ran the OK Caf down on the square in Bolivar in partnership with his brother Herbert. In 1948 he was appointed to be a Rural Mail Carrier. He consistently carried mail from then on until September 1976, when he retired for the first time. Not one to rest on his laurels, Estel went to work for Bob Butler Real Estate in April of 1977 as a real estate agent. He remained at this position until he retired for good in 1988. Among his many interests and talents were hunting upland birds, mainly quail, and training the breeding bird dogs. He was also a foundation breeder of Missouri Fox Trotting horses and an excellent owner, trainer and showman of many fine Missouri Fox Trotters. He was a lifetime member of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association. At an early age Estel was saved and joined the Mt. View Missionary Baptist Church in Polk, Missouri. He later moved his membership to the Calvary Baptist Church in Bolivar. On July 26, 1943 he married Betty Phillips at the home of Rev. C.B. Tucker in Springfield, Missouri. To this union, two sons were born, Ray H. and Brad E. Zumwalt. He is preceded in heath by his wife of 67 years Betty Mae, parents Henry and Mae Zumwalt, a son Ray Henry, his sister Grace Kaudle and her husband Max, his brother Herbert Zumwalt and wife Maxine, a sister-in-law Vera Zumwalt, and a brother-in-law Dee Aspey. He is survived by a son Brad Estel & wife Sandy of Springfield, four grandchildren John and wife Kashia of Willard, Justin and wife Ivy of Grandview, Bethany of Springfield, and Sara of Springfield, a daughter-in-law Jane Zumwalt of Stockton, three great grandchildren Sam and Henry of Willard, Zach of Grandview, a brother Berkley of Polk, a sister Opal Aspey of Bolivar, and many nieces and nephews, a host of friends and relatives. Estel was loved by so many and will be sorely missed by family members and friends alike. Funeral service will be held at 10:00am, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri with Brother Ron Erven officiating. Musical selections will be "It Is Well With My Soul", "He Touched Me" and "How Great Thou Art" sung by Brad Wommack. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery in Polk, Missouri. Pallbearers will be Jerald Andrews, Gerald Sergent, Brent Butler, Pat Foster, Jay Stevens, Derrell Ashlock, Dannie Hubbert and Charles Johnson. Visitation will be held from 6:00-7:00pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri. Friends and family may sign the guestbook or leave private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

M.E. (Estel) Zumwalt

August 15, 1921 - March 24, 2012