Stirling, NJ

Mr. Louis Rudolph Zilka died Saturday July 2, 2011 at Overlook Hospital in Summit. He was 95.

Louis was born in Newark, the son of the late Susanna (Marshalka) Zilka and Paul Zilka living in Union before moving to Stirling 9 years ago.

Louis served in the US Army during WWII and fought at the Battle of the Bulge, Belgium.

He worked as a wire fabricator for Engelhard Industries in Carteret, NJ. He also was employed by Mrs. Wagner’s Pie Company in Newark, NJ.

He was a Parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul RC Church, Stirling. He also served as a Knight of Columbus in Union, NJ. He was a member of the Slovak Catholic Sokol of Passaic, Long Hill Township Senior Citizens and the Loundsbury Tenants Association.

Louis was a good and kind gentleman who was loved and respected by his family and his friends.

He was pre-deceased by his wife Margaret nee: Matus Zilka in 2007. They were married for more than 60 years and shared a beautiful life together.

Louis is survived by two daughters, Peggy, wife of Glenn W. Morgan and Louise, wife of Robert F. Tracey, a sister, Emily Fedorwicz, a brother, William Zilka, 5 Grandchildren - Kevin and his wife Dawn, Tracy and her husband Steve, Jill and her husband Steve, Michael and his wife Colleen and Kenny and his wife Ashley, and 8 Great-Grandchildren - John, Michael, Caroline, Cormac, Kyle, Marissa, Hope & Dean.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Long Hill Township Senior Citizens, PO Box 385, Gillette, NJ 07933.

Services will be Thursday July 7, 2011, 9:00 AM from the Valley Memorial Funeral Home, 1012 Valley Rd, Gillette, NJ followed by a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Vincent de Paul RC Church, Stirling with Father Richard Carton officiating. Interment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park, Union. Visitation will be Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Funeral Home. For more information and on-line condolences www.valleymemorialfuneralhome.net.