Slobodan F. Zelich obituary

Slobodan F. Zelich

Passed 2/5/2013

Obituary For Slobodan F. Zelich

Slobodan F. Zelich, 88 Steubenville, passed away Tuesday February 5, 2013 at Trinity West Medical Center.He was born December 16, 1924, in Zegar and raised in Sibenik, Dalmatia, the Adriatic coastal part of the former Yugoslavia. Preceding him in death were his father Proto Pavle (Paul) Zelich, his mother Milica Sekulich Zelich and his two sons, Milan and George, a brother Milan (Mary) Zelich. Surviving him are his wife of 65 years, Nevenka Torbica Zelich, a son Paul of Steubenville, his daughter Sonja (Clyde) DiAngelo of Steubenville, grandchildren Danielle DiAngelo (Trevor) Kalinowski and Michael DiAngelo, two great grandchildren, Ty Angelo and Vinny Joseph Kalinowski, sisters Mirjiana Rismondo and Duska "Diane" Milo, and many nephews and nieces.Slobodan worked as a foreman for many years and retired from Trans Buckeye Sheet and Strip Steel Company.During World War II, Yugoslavia became a deeply divided country of several factions, with brother fighting brother, depending on ideological alignments. Slobodan joined the organized guerrilla fighters known as the Chetniks, detachments of the Yugoslav Army, led by Gen. Draza Mihailovic, who, as royalists, fought to preserve the crown of young King Peter II of Yugoslavia. The Chetniks battled the communist Partisans of Josip Broz Tito, as well as the fascist Ustase, allied to Nazi Germany. Near the end of the war, Vojvoda (Chief) Momcilo Djujic, sensing all was lost, marched his Dinara Division, to which Slobodan belonged, out of Yugoslavia, fighting his way with his men over snowbound mountains, leading a mixed body of 20,000 combatants and civilians, a long line of humanity, stretching for miles, girded by soldiers to the front, rear, and flanks. Slobodan and his future wife, Nevenka, possessing only what they were wearing and what they could carry, trudged through deep snow for hundreds of miles, eventually transiting the Istrian peninsula to the relative safety of Italy, where they spent time in displaced persons camps, then on to refugee camps in Germany, where they were married in Diepolz in 1947. They came to the United States in 1949, after burying their first born son, who had died of a fever in a postwar Germany sadly lacking in medicine.Shortly after the war, Slobodan's father, the Very Rev. Paul Zelich, was assigned a parish in Steubenville, Ohio, to serve as spiritual leader of the Serbian Orthodox faithful residing in the Ohio River Valley, and tasked with garnering funds with which to build a new church, the Holy Resurrection Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church, whose cornerstone was laid in 1947 and which still stands today on North Fourth Street. Slobodan organized a junior choir within the church community. Many of the junior choir members were to join his senior choir, the Petar Krstich Choir, whose helm he took in 1961 and directed until 2008. He instilled a strong sense of Serbian ethnic pride and identity in his singers, both young and old, with a genuine love for Serbian Orthodox Liturgical music, as well as his folk and patriotic music. Slobodan ended his career with his 100th composition entitled “Sonja.” The Petar Krstich Choir traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada, establishing a reputation as one of the finest choirs in the Serbian Singing Federation. Slobodan won numerous honors and awards within the Serbian Singing Federation, which he was a member of, and also the Serb National Federation Lodge #22.He will be missed by relatives as the quintessential family man, by his church as a devout Eastern Orthodox Christian, and by his fellow singers as a catalyst for song.Friends may call at Dunlope-Shorac Funeral Home, 215 Fernwood Road, Wintersville, Ohio on Friday 4-8 p.m. On Saturday, visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of services at noon at Holy Resurrection Serbian Church with Very Rev. Rade Merick officiating. Burial at Holy Resurrection Cemetery.Pomen services 7:45 p.m. FridayThe family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Shoshi and his staff, Drs. Kahlil & Murty and the staff at Davita Dialysis, staff at Trinity West and also Acuity Specialty Hospital for their respectful care and compassion.Memorial Contributions can be made to the Petar Krstich Choir or the Holy Resurrection Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church.

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

09/03/2024

Doreen & George Jakovich

Dear Nena, Sonja, Paul and family, Our sincere sympathy and prayers go to all of you as well as the PK Choir which we were so proud to be a part of. Slobodan will be sadly missed not only by the Steubenville Family but throughout all Serbian communities. It has been an honor to call Slobodan, as well as all of you, our personal family friend. God bless all of you and may his Memory be Eternal! Doreen & George Jakovich
09/03/2024

John Lukich

Slobodan's contribution to Serbian music is significant and remains as a lasting testimonial to all who knew and admired him. Thank you Slobodan for all you have done. Vjecnaja Pamjat. Memory Eternal.
09/03/2024

Sharon Mataruski Gourlay

We want to extend our deepest felt sympathy to the entire family. Slobodan was an incredible man and taught so many of the church children and adults about our Serbian culture. I am saddened at his passing and praying for you all. Much love ~ Memory Eternal. Sharon Mataruski Gourlay (and Patricia Mataruski)
09/03/2024

Nichole (Winovich) Radulovich

Cika Slobodan was an amazing man. I remember how special he made me feel when he invited me to play flute with the Steubenville choir at the SSF Festival in Chicago when I was a teenager. What a treat! He was a pillar of our diaspora and will be always be revered with honor and love! Memory Eternal!
09/03/2024

Paul Bielich

The Serbian Singing Federation and all Serbian singers on the North American continent have indeed lost an exemplary choir director, composer and arranger. His contribution to Serbian choral music on this continent was extraordinary. He is indeed a legend among SSF choir directors and I was fortunate to be able to call Slobodan a friend. My heartfelt sympathy to Nena, Sonya, Paul and their families on your great loss which all singers share with you. Vjecnaja Pamjat. Paul Bielich, SSF Executive Secretary Emeritus Paul Bielich, SSF Executive Secretary Emeritus
09/03/2024

Joan Jakovich

Dear Family, Bobby and I extend our deepest sympathies on the loss of your Husband, Father and Deda. As singers we were privileged to know him in a very special way. His contribution to our Serbian culture and music will live on forever. Vjecnaja Pamjat. Our sympathies also to his Petar Krstich family. Bobby and Joan Jakovich
09/03/2024

Martha Ostoich Teshich

My sincerest and heartfelt sympathies to the Zelich family and the entire Petar Krstich Choir family. Your loss is shared by all those who love Serbian music and appreciate +Slobodan's efforts and the energy he put into perpetuating it. He will be sorely missed but the legacy of his arrangements of our beloved secular and religious music will live on. His arrangement of "Za Cast i Slavu Srbije" has always been one of my favorite choral pieces to sing. Vjecnaja Pamjat!! Sincerely, Martha Ostoich Teshich
09/03/2024

Marha Ann Zatezalo Benner

So very sorry, he will be missed. It has been a long time since I attended services there, however, I never forget.
09/03/2024

Ljubi Hayden

Dear Nena, Sonja, Paul, Dusa and familia, Please accept our deepest and sincerest sympathies on the passing of your and our beloved, +Slobodan. He was a jewel to his family, church community,Kumovi,friends and Serbians throughtout the U.S. and Canada....especially SSF singers. I was privileged to have been the house guest of Dusa Milo and family when our Sloboda choir were the honored guests in Steubenville in the late 60's.During that weekend, I visited at +Slobodan and Nena's home, along with my +Cici Adam.They were such gracious domachine and I will forever remember that visit. +Slobodan leaves us with a physical void, but his contributions to our people will live forever through our singing. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you........ Ljubi and Bato Hayden
09/03/2024

Jimmy Musulin

Nena,Paul,Sonja & Family; I am so sorry to hear of Slobodan's passing. So many people are surely saddened by his passing as those many same people were brought joy by his music and his stature as a gentleman. Please accept my sincere sympathies. Vecnajat Pamjat Jimmy Musulin Mobile, AL
09/03/2024

Milan Chonich

May His Memory be Eternal! A gifted and great man who loved his church it's music and the Serbian people. He will be missed! Milan Chonich
09/03/2024

Michael Lukich

To his entire family and the Steubenville Serbian Orthodox Church community, my condolences on the passing of Slobodan. My father, the late Dusan Lukich of Mississaga, Ontario, Canada was a good friend of Slobodan as he was a brigade leader from Velika Popina under Vojvoda Momcilo. We thank Slobodan for his immortalization of the songs of those patriots who fought for "Krst, cast i sloboda zlatna". May his memory be eternal.
09/03/2024

Nanc y Vukelic-Firman

Dear Nena, Sonya, Paul and Family, Our family was deeply saddened to learn the news of Slobodans passing. Our sincere sympathy and prayers go to all of you as well as the PK Choir which Janet and I were so proud to be a part of. He was a great teacher of the Serbian culture and music and was passionate about his work. He was an inspiration to so many and will be missed. May his memory be eternal. With deepest sympathy, The Vukelic family
09/03/2024

Bob & Joan Jakovich

As +Slobodan enters the heavenly kingdom his legacy will live on in the hearts of all Serbians. His impact on the many singers whose life he influenced will burn in our heavy Our sincere sympathy to his family. Vecnaja Pamjat
09/03/2024

Branislav Sekulic

I remember Slobodan from Sibenik (former Yugoslavia) since 1942/43, as my family was, at that time, living in the same house with families of our late fathers Pavle Zelic and Stevan Prostran � Then, I was 10 years old, and Slobodan was only 19 years old, but he was already the choirmaster of our newly founded church choir� That was - 70 years ago � But life was long, fruitful and rewarding for Slobodan � May he find deserved and everlasting peace and reward in the kingdom of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Vjecna mu pamjat!! Branislav Sekulic Penrith, Australia
09/03/2024

Millie Potkonjak Jocovic

Dear Nena, Sonja, Paul, Dusica, Mira and FAmily; My sincerest sympathy to the family, kumovi, singers and entire Steubenville parish. My memory of Cika Slobodan and what my mom and dad told me about their travels to the United States together, what a great man who truly will be remembered not only by our Cheniks, but our singers and churches who have been touched by our dear and devoted Slobodan. His memory wlll always be with our singers in the music he composed for all our singers to enjoy throughout the years to come. Memory Eternal, Millie (Potkonjak) & Mico Jocovic
09/03/2024

arlene davis

All of the staff at PNC Bank at Sunset Branch would like to extend their deepest sympathy for the loss of a wonderful man and customer. We will certainly miss Slobodan.
09/03/2024

Maryann Kovacevich Droll

Dear Ones, It is with great sadness that I've learned of the passing of our dear Slobodan. I will always remember him as a true gentleman and God's conductor of the heavenly music that graced our annual St. John's Day celebrations at the Grove. I'm sure that he's already filling a very special position in the Heavenly choir; "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." (Psalm 116:15). May God's peace and blessings be with you during this most tender season; may He give you many lovely memories that will be as Roses in December. Ever hoping . . . Always in Jesus, Maryann (daughter of Sam & Joan Kovacevich)
09/03/2024

Darleen Licina Tubbs

Dear Nena and family, Raymond and I send our deepest sympathies! Forgive us. We were away at the time of +Slobodan's passing and have just recently learned of his death. He was a true Serbian son and touched the lives of so many. Darleen & Raymond
09/03/2024

Milan Orbovich Jr.

Our deepest sympathy to your family. Slobodan was a truly wonderful and gifted man who made our Serbian Orthodoxy lives so much more special with his talents. Vjecnaja Pamjat. Milan and Dragana Orbovich
09/03/2024

Marie Rinehart

Dearly beloved Family and Singers of +Slobodan Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted . . surely dear Slobodan is with his beloved sons Milan and Georgie, Proto and Protinica, brother Milan, and all departed singers from the SSF. We are left to be comforted as we reminisce, listen to tapes, remember the trips, and how he taught so many of us our Serbian heritage. He can lay aside all earthly cares now as we are all left to grasp memories of such an inspirational man. Nena was such a wonderful nurse and Sonja was truly by his side. She contributed so very much and continues to assist Nino in her father's absence. Vjecnaja Pamjat dear friend. Marie, Laurie, Peter and families.
09/03/2024

Jelena Masic

To the entire Zelich family.... Please accept my deepest & sincerest condolences on the loss of Slobodan, he was a brilliant gifted kind hearted man. My father was saddened by his passing as Slobodan and my father went through the war together and dad remembers him fondly. May his memory be eternal and Neka Muje Laka Crna Zemlja...

Your Name:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Business Name:
Description of Useful Link / Service: