Albert F. Zeisz

Albert F. Zeisz, 92, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away on Monday, August 16, 2021, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. Al was born on March 6, 1929, in South Bend, Indiana, to the late Albert and Louise (Stehlik) Zeisz. On September 10, 1955, in Marion, Indiana, he married Sharon “Sherry” McCormick. Sherry was called home on April 26, 1999. On October 8, 2003, in Royal Oak, Michigan, Al married Sara Tollens who survives.
Al is also survived by his three children, Kevin Zeisz of South Bend, Tom (Laura) Zeisz of Roanke, Texas, and Mary (Russ) Farrell of Edwardsburg, Michigan; five grandchildren, Beau (Courtney) Dunfee, Alex Dunfee, McCormick (Luke) Carr, Kyler (Paul) Mackowiak, and Michael Zeisz; three great-granddaughters, Ruby Louise Dunfee, Winnie June Dunfee, and Rosemary Bea Carr; and two sisters, Louise Fletcher of South Bend, and Delores (Ed) Hanna of Amherst, New Hampshire. Al was preceded in death by his sister, Gertrude Rosselit, and granddaughter, Tara Dunfee, who rests in the arms of her Mimi, Sherry Zeisz.
Growing up, Al’s parents owned a grocery store, Notre Dame Avenue Food Store, located down the street from the Golden Dome. As a young boy, Al worked every day after school delivering groceries on his bike until he graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1947. He was then accepted into the University of Notre Dame. Al was the first in his family to attend college and graduated in just three years. Upon graduating from Notre Dame, Al was drafted to serve in the Korean War and did his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas. Because he was so proficient at typing, Al was never sent to war; he was grateful as many friends did not return home. He typed on a Remington typewriter and was called a ‘Remington Raider’ by his fellow Army buddies. He remained at Fort Riley until his honorable discharge in 1953.
In 1958, Al and his business partner, Chad Smith, opened and operated a real estate brokerage under the name Smith-Zeisz Company in South Bend. Al and Chad grew their business into a large & successful real estate company and were considered two of the founders of real estate in the South Bend area. Al loved his career and all the Realtors that became his family. He retired in 1995 and traveled the world with Sherry until her untimely passing. Al was a self-taught photographer who loved nature photography but also would do weddings when he was asked and never missed an opportunity to photograph family occasions. He was also a skilled, self-taught woodworker and an expert gardener. He loved Notre Dame and going to the football games in the fall. Al always had the eyes of his heart open and gave his time and resources to those in need his entire life. In his retirement, Al volunteered at St. Margaret’s House helping women and children and serving on the board. His legacy of caring for others is still felt there.
Per Al’s wishes, a private family memorial service will be held in the coming days. The family will plan a celebration of life for friends and extended family to pay their respects at a later date when it is safe to fully congregate. McGann Funeral Home and Highland Cemetery are assisting the family with arrangements.
A special thanks goes out to North Woods Village at Edison Lakes for the excellent care over these last 10 months, especially the nursing staff, Alice Hebard, and Henry Borr.
Contributions in memory of Al may be given to St. Margaret’s House, 117 N. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601.
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