David Zmina

David Zmina

March 02, 1941 - August 02, 2015

Send Flowers

Obituary

David Lawrence Zmina of Platteville, WI, passed on peacefully to be with our Lord on Sunday, August 2nd, 2015.
Dave was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 2nd, 1941 to Helen and Lawrence Zmina. He graduated from South High School in Cleveland prior to attending Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado. While at CSC he played catcher on the baseball team as he earned his teaching degree.
Dave married Jane Peoples in 1965, and they had two children together. He later married Cheryl Becker in 1985.
Dave's first teaching position was in Colorado Springs, where he taught for two years. He then accepted a position teaching physical education and health with the Platteville School District where he enjoyed teaching physical education and health education for 36 years. He retired in 2003 after spending 38 years in education. During his career he also enjoyed coaching basketball, track and volleyball. After his retirement from teaching, Dave spent several years driving school bus.
Dave was also active in the community where he coached and umpired for Little League. He continued to touch lives as a volunteer in the community where he was involved with the Platteville Main Street Program, The Taste of Platteville (where he was a founding member), the Building Platteville program, and The Optimists.
He enjoyed traveling, being in the outdoors, going to the farmers market, dancing (especially the polka), visiting at the coffee shops, attending and watching baseball and football games, and visiting Cleveland and sharing his love of Cleveland.
He is survived by his children, Todd Zmina (wife Jennifer) of Rochester, MN; and Tammi Cox of Platteville, WI; three stepchildren, Marc (Mary) Becker; Stephanie (Mike) Osterholtz; Matthew (Bekah) Becker; six grandchildren, Michael (Emilie) Cox, Solveigh Zmina, Jesse (Danie) Baker, Kate, Sam and Mila Becker; two sisters, Joan (Larry) Myers and Kathy (Joe) Kraynak.
He is preceded in death by; his parents, Helen and Lawrence Zmina, and by his sister, Joyce Zmina.
David truly loved life, and he cherished the people he built relationships with. His love of his family, his love for his community and his friendly, welcoming spirit will be missed.
A Celebration of Life will Sunday, September 13, 2015 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Platteville Elk's Lodge. Memorial donations may be made to The David L. Zmina memorial fund at Mound City Bank to be used for the benefit of the organizations he was involved with. The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Events

There are no events for David yet.

Photos

Add photos
of David
No photos of David have been shared yet.

Memories

Add a memory of
David
RF
Richard Fuller
Other •
it was good to see Dave at the Manor. It was tough for him and we remember better times. Best to all family and friends who will miss this guy with a smile.
DR
Denise Rostad
Other •
To all of Dave's family, you have my sincere sympathy. I was lucky to work with Dave for many years, and was privileged to be his colleague and friend. The influences he had on his co-workers and students will live on. God bless his memory, and God bless you all.
LC
Lucinda Champion
Other •
So sorry to if this loss. Mack loved him as her bus driver and was waiting for him to come back. She is so sad. God bless and RIP Dave.
MS
Mark Schell
Other •
My sympathy to Dave's family for your loss. I had the pleasure of teaching with Dave for several years. He was a good teacher and friend. Dave's elf character at Christmas brought laughter and joy to students and staff. I always enjoyed it when Dave drove the bus on school trips. He kept things under control. Dave was a good man and will be greatly missed.
RK
Randy and Marge Karsten
Other •
We would like to express our condolences to Dave's family. Dave made special skis for our son's wheelchair so he could participate in a physical education winter activity with the rest of his classmates while a student at O.E. Gray. That's the kind of person Dave was, and we will never forget his kindness to our son. You have our sympathy.
JM
JD Milburn
Other •
Dave truly was an asset and loved Platteville. He was so dedicated and was always seen being a great citizen. I spent many days having coffee with him and enjoying his company and wisdom. Dave Zmina Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. You are what a citizen and friend should be

Share memorial