Carl Arthur Zenor

Carl Arthur Zenor, 91, of Punta Gorda, Fla., formerly of Bainbridge, passed away peacefully Dec. 8 at his Florida home after enduring a long cardiac illness.

He was born April 4, 1927 to Roy Homer and Lucille Josephine (Dierdorf) Zenor in Clay County, near Brazil.

After graduating from Bainbridge High School in 1945, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and remained with the U.S. Air Force for nearly 40 years (active and reserve), retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Carl served in Japan during the occupation after World War II, and later was an executive intelligence officer for the 71st Special Operations Squadron and the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Grissom Air Base at Peru, Ind.

Carl had been a member of the Bainbridge Christian Church, Indianapolis St. Luke's Methodist Church, and Englewood, Fla., Methodist Church.

He attended DePauw University, receiving both bachelor's and master's degrees in history.

He taught social studies first at Salem, next at Bainbridge, and ultimately went to George Washington High School in Indianapolis for most of his teaching career, finally as head of the Social Studies Department there. Due to his expertise in Indiana history, Carl was selected as director of the 1966 Sesquicentennial.

Carl is survived by his wife of 65 years, Malinda (Lynn) Zenor, Punta Gorda, Fla.; son Roy (Mary) Zenor, Indianapolis; daughter Cindy (Tim) McCormick, Crawfordsville; grandchildren Carl D. (Jami) Zenor, Carmel; Jessica (Matt) Miles, Indianapolis; and Tim (Meagan) McCormick, Fishers; nephew David (Margie) Zenor, Bonita Springs, Fla.; three great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3 at the First United Methodist Church, 212 E. Wabash Ave., Crawfordsville. All family and friends are welcome.