Kenneth O. Bolin

Kenneth O. Bolin, 97, of Zanesville, longtime funeral director and embalmer serving Zanesville and surrounding areas since 1935, died at 7:35 p.m. Saturday, October 24, 2009 at his home. He was born June 19, 1912,in Springfield, IL., a son of the late Gershom and Ann M. Franklin Bolin. He graduated from Lash High School and attended Ohio University. Kenneth almost went to school with Dr. Slater to become an Osteopath. The turning point in Ken's life was when his brother Russell was tragically killed in an automobile accident. This then turned him to funeral service after the death of his brother. He then graduated from The Cleveland College of Embalming and returned to Zanesville to start his career with the Mader-Peoples Funeral Home in 1932. Ken's son, Russell M. Bolin joined him in the business in 1948. Ken was the owner and operator of the Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home at the time of his death. While in college in Athens, he played in Sammy Kaye's First Band. Later he went on the road with his brother's band, Russ Bolin and the Cotton Pickers. Ken was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ, LaFayette Lodge # 79 F&AM, oldest living Past Monarch of Amrou Grotto #45, Aladdin Shrine, Zavi Shrine, Scottish Rite Valley of Cambridge,F.O.P.A Lodge #16, Ohio Funeral Directors Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association District 13, National Funeral Directors Association and Optimist Club. Surviving is his son and daughter-in-law, Russell M. and Marie Bolin of Zanesville; two granddaughters, Pamela (Ron) Derry of Baltimore and Trudy (Mike) Matz of Zanesville; five great grandchildren, Chad (Melissa) Derry, Brad (Kristina) Derry, Krista Derry, Kyle Sowers and Kelsey Sowers; and three great great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bula M. Smith Bolin, who died November 24, 2004; three brothers, Russell M. Bolin, Donald W. Bolin and Harold W. Bolin. Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at the BOLIN-DIERKES FUNERAL HOME, 1271 Blue Avenue, Zanesville. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at the funeral home with Rev. Mitch Reed officiating. Pall Bearers will be: Duane Jenkins, Bob Howard, Robert Burrell, Bernie Mitchell, Bill Peoples and Bryan Chandler. Burial will follow at Zanesville Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to Bosco for his rehabilitation c/o Zanesville K9 Unit, 332 South Street, Zanesville, Ohio 43701 or to the Animal Shelter Society, 1430 Newark Road, Zanesville, Ohio 43701 in Ken's memory. Ken's philosophy in life was: When people come to me, I believe I MUST give the best service that I possibly can to help lighten their burden and grief.