Bernard James Zelsdorf

Born April 1, 1927, in Tucson, AZ, but lived in Barrington all of his life. He was the son of Bernard J. and Ethel (McGraw) Zelsdorf. He passed away peacefully at home on Thursday July 22, 2021 with his loving family his side.

Jim graduated from Barrington High School in 1945, he was proud to answer the call to serve his country soon after graduation, after boot camp, he went to Berlin, Germany and serve until 1946. Thanks to the GI bill he was able to attend college, first Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, from 1947 to 1949 and then transferred to Bradley Unv. In Peoria, IL where he graduated in 1951 with a degree in accounting. He used that knowledge the rest of his life. He married the love of his life, Donna Overly in August of 1951, together they had two children, Steven, and Susan. He did the accounting work for Florsheim Shoe Company in Chicago, then worked for the Pennsylvania Rail Road also in Chicago, for seven years. Finally, he was the Finance Director for the Village of Barrington from 1959 until his retirement in 1989. He cared for his wife until she passed away in 1990. After retirement, he held many volunteer jobs, Barrington Park District Mini golf course, H&R Block, he was on the board of the Michael Joseph Foundation, he belonged to St. Anne Catholic Community all of his life, and held various volunteer jobs there, he was also a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Queen of Peace Council 3954, and the VFW Post 7706.

Jim is survived by his children, Steven (Roberta) Zelsdorf, Cary, IL, and Susan Zelsdorf, Lake Barrington, IL, granddaughter Devin A. (Thomas) Douglass, and great granddaughter, Lillian Grace Douglass, his nieces,Mary Jane (Harry) Blakeman, of Colorado, Lynn (Richard) Perryman, of Wisconsin, Patricia Dormann of Crystal Lake, IL, great nieces and nephew, Amy (Mike Omelian) Kelly, Katherin (Peter) Gebhardt, Melissa Feuerhaken, North Carolina, Todd Feuerhaken, Missouri, Diane Brokaw, of Woodstock, IL, Christy Heine of Fort Wayne, IN, great great nieces, and nephews, Hannah, Clair Gebhardt, of Wisconsin, Natan, and Tyler Feuerhaken, of Missouri.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Donna (Overly) Zelsdorf, his sister, Helen Carr, niece, Nancy Feuerhaken, nephews, Thomas Heine, and Bruce Heine.

A visitation for Jim will be held on Tuesday July 27, 2021 from 4pm until 8pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 149 West Main Street, Barrington, IL 60010. A second visitation will be held the following morning from 9:30am until the time of Mass at 10:30am at St. Anne Catholic Community, 120 Ela St., Barrington, IL.  Burial will be private.

Donations in Jim's name may be made to JourneyCare Foundation, www.journeycare.org/donate