Leonard Francis Zatarga, 98, Manistee, passed away on Monday, February 1, 2016, at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility.

He was born August 4, 1917 in Filer Township, son of the late John and Anna (Rozga) Zatarga. As a young man, he enjoyed working on his grandparents' farm, and then later was employed at Manistee Iron Works. From 1946 until his retirement in 1982, he was employed by Century Boat Company of Manistee.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving his country from October of 1942 to March of 1946. T-5 Zatarga was a truck driver and motor mechanic with Battery C, 914th Field Artillery Battalion, European theater of operation.

Len married Rogene Baker on May 4th, 1946, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Manistee. They enjoyed almost 70 years of married life, first living in Stronach, then at the home in Oak Hill that Leonard completed in 1949.

Throughout his life, he was an avid vegetable gardener, and well into his 80's maintained large gardens at home as well as his daughter's farm in FreeSoil. In his younger years, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time on his Uncle Stanley's "40". In retirement, he enjoyed woodworking, puttering in his yard, and part time employment with cousins Tye & Dave of Tye's Neon Signs. He loved nature, and in recent times enjoyed watching birds, especially robins.
He was a lifelong communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Walsh Post #4499 of Manistee.

In addition to his wife Rogene, he is survived by his children Bonnie O'Bryan of Sault Ste Marie, and Betty (Robert) Kran of FreeSoil, grandchildren Sean O'Bryan of Upland California, Jeremy (Jammie) O'Bryan of Kinross, John (Shannon) Kran of Grand Haven, and Carrie Kran of Brooklyn, NY, great-grandchildren Logan & Eoghan O'Bryan of Ludington and Savannah and Cheyenne Robbins of Kinross, brothers Richard Zatarga and Bernard Zatarga and his sister in-law Minnie Zatarga all of Manistee, and many special nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Leonard was predeceased by his parents John and Anna, in-laws Frank & Helen Baker, Brother Ted Zatarga, sisters and brothers-in-law, Clara (Ed) Bajtka, Isabelle (John) Wojciechowki, Adeline Zatarga, sister-in-law Mary Zatarga, sister-in-law Nancy Baker Harris, brothers-in-law Frank (Helen) Baker, Jr., Gerald (Gertrude) Baker, and son-in law Michael O'Bryan on July 23, 2015.

Mass from the order of the Christian Funerals will be celebrated on Saturday, February 6th, 2016 at 10 a.m., at St. Joseph's Church, 254 6th St. Manistee, with Reverend Richard Schaeffer, celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel cemetery, where graveside military services will be conducted by the members of the Manistee County United Veterans Council Ritual Squad.
The family will receive friends on Friday, February 5th, at the Herbert Funeral Home, 706 Kosciusko Street, Manistee, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. The evening vigil service will be prayed at 8 PM on Friday evening.. The Family will also be at the funeral home on Saturday morning, from 9 a.m. until the time of departure for the church.

Memorial contributions in Leonard's name can be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Manistee or Manistee Catholic Central School.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.