Marinus J. "Zeke" Lockemeyer

Marinus J. “Zeke” Lockemeyer, 93, of Coldwater, Michigan (formerly of Phelps, New York) died on December 6, 2020 at Laurels of DeKalb in Butler, Indiana.

He was born on May 8, 1927 in Newark, New York to Jacob and Mary (DeKoek) Lockemeyer.  He graduated from Phelps Central School in 1945 and married Katherine “Katie” Raes on May 25, 1949.

Zeke had many jobs in his lifetime.  He started out at Phelps School as a custodian and worked his way to superintendent of Building and Grounds for the new Midlakes School System.  Zeke was the Director of Plant and Security for the Community College of the Finger Lakes in Canandaigua, New York before retiring.  He was a community handyman: mowing lawns, raking leaves, trimming bushes, and was the caretaker for the Dr. Hoskins family and their beautiful cobblestone house on Route 96.  He also served as mayor of Phelps.

Zeke was a veteran, serving his country in the US Army during WWII. He was very privileged to have taken the Honor Flight to Washington, DC last year.  It was such an amazing experience! He was a lifetime member of the American Legion at Seeley B Parish Post 457.

Zeke was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Phelps, New York, but also attended St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Angola, Indiana.

Surviving are his children, David (Carla) Lockemeyer of Lebanon, Ohio and Patty (Doug) Foley of Coldwater, Michigan; sister, Dorothy Wallace of Fairport, New York; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janie and Paul Bree of Phelps, New York, sister-in-law Sharon Lockemeyer of Palmyra New York,  5 grandchildren: Jake (Lauren) Foley, Adam (Meredith) Foley and Ryan, Kyle and Alex Lockemeyer; 2 great-grandchildren, Byrd and Stone Foley and many nieces and nephews who all had a special place in his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Mary Lockemeyer; wife, Katie Lockemeyer: his brother, Robert “Bob” Lockemeyer: and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Helen and Chet Gridley.  

He was a man of few words, but one of the kindest, most patient people you would have ever met.   He was always willing to lend a helping hand, even spent hours teaching people to waterski. He loved to fish, waterski and go boating.   He loved to watch the Syracuse Orange basketball team play, and was a diehard NY Yankee fan, always watching every game.   For anyone who knew or met Zeke, you could tell that he was a special person.  He was respected by everyone he met and loved by his family.  Whether he was telling one of his jokes or helping in some project, Zeke was always there for family and community.  He will be greatly missed!!!

There will be a Celebration of Life Service at a later date, when the pandemic ends!

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116 www.diabetes.org ; St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 12 Phelps Street, Phelps, NY  14532 or the Honor Flight Northeast Indiana, PO Box 5, Huntertown, IN 46748 www.hfnei.org