Robert Zahirniak

Senior Master Sergeant Robert W. Zahirniak, age 91, retired United States Air Force and a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, departed his home station and arrived safely at his terminal assignment early Monday morning, August 23, 2021 at West Rest Haven in West. Memorial services celebrating his life will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Aderhold Funeral Home in West, with Rev. Eddie Scheler officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard. Burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery will be held at a later date. Robert was born July 29, 1930 in West, the fifth of eight children born to Willie and Annie (Cepak) Zahirniak. He attended St. Mary School and West High School. After completing his junior year, Robert enlisted with the United States Air Force. He served six years and decided to make the Air Force his career. After completing basic training, his first assignment was in Japan. He arrived in Japan on October 15, 1948. He was assigned to the 35th Fighter Group of the 41st Fighting Squadron. After 3 years, which included duty in Korea, he departed Japan on October 15,1951. He was then assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Lockbourne Air Force Base in Columbus, OH. In 1952, Robert met Mary K. Plummer, who would later become his wife. In 1953, he was once again assigned to Pusan, Korea, 17th Bomb Wing. Upon his return to the United States, he was discharged at his port of entry in California. He re-enlisted at James Connally Air Force Base. In July of 1956, Robert was notified that Mary K. Plummer had lost her husband in an auto accident. Robert maintained contact with the Plummer Family. In 1957, while passing through Ohio, Robert stopped to visit the Plummer family. While there, an old flame was rekindled, and he married Mary on June 3, 1957. Mary and her 3 children (Michael, Deborah, and Rusty) joined Robert in his Air Force career. While stationed at James Connally, Samuel and Daniel joined the family. Kindley AFB, Bermuda was the next assignment where Patricia joined the nest. Upon returning to the United States, Robert spent a short time in Indiana where Patrick Joe put the finishing touches on the family. After a year at Bunker Hill Air Force Base, Robert was assigned to U-thipo, Thailand during the war in Vietnam. The family stayed behind in Texas until his return. In 1968, Robert was assigned to Carswell Air Force Base, then to Plattsburgh, NY in 1971. From there, Robert retired and returned to West. But complete retirement was not in Robert’s plan. He soon accepted employment with M&M Mars, where he worked in the utility department for 17 years. Upon his retirement from M&M Mars, Robert became even more actively involved in his community including Meals on Wheels, West Military Honor Guard, providing graveside honors for area servicemen, Associate Director for WestFest, Co-founder of the West Veterans Wall of Honor (which was later moved to the History of West Museum), and Commander of West VFW post #4819. Robert was also a regular blood donor and was credited with donating 17 gallons of blood, of which he is quite proud. After Mary’s passing on January 1, 2011, Robert spent time alone but continued with his volunteer services. He met Cynthia Urbanovsky Hannes. They married on December 7, 2015 and have enjoyed volunteering and traveling together. Immediately following his death, Robert's remains will be donated to medical service for the study of Alzheimer's Disease. Later his body will be cremated and buried in his plot next to his wife who died of this terrible affliction. Robert is also preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Willie Mae; brothers, Ernest, Jody, and baby Daniel. Survivors include his sisters Mary Hessel and Helen Warner, his brother, Willie "Pee Wee" and wife Beulah; his children, Mike Mosier and wife Wendy; Debbie Timmons and husband Greg, Rusty Dragoon and husband Bill, Sam Zahirniak and wife Nell, Daniel Zahirniak and wife Annette, Patricia Scheler and husband Eddie, and Patrick Joe Zahirniak and wife Julia; as well as many wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other assorted kinfolks, and friends. In lieu of flowers, please send all donations to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or the Alzheimer's Research Foundation, 620 Sea Island Road, Suite 288, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.