Harold Joseph "Joe" Zollman

Harold “Joe” Joseph Zollman, passed away on December 1, 2025, at the age of 77, with his loving wife and daughter at his side. He was born in Frankfort, Indiana on August 28, 1948, the son of Forrest and Crystal Zollman of Kirklin, Indiana. Joe attended elementary school in Kirklin and graduated from Clinton Central High School in 1966. On his 18th birthday, he was hired by Allison Transmission where he spent the next 55.4 years, except for his enlistment with the United States Air Force from November 27, 1967 to November 26, 1971, and retiring from Allison Transmission on November 1, 2021. Upon returning from his military service, Joe attended evening classes at Indiana Vocational Technical College “Ivy Tech” graduating with an Associates Degree in Industrial Management Technology on November 10, 1979, and an Associates Degree in Marketing Technology on May 16, 1980. Joe met Deborah, his wife of 41 years, at the Church at the Crossing, Indianapolis, Indiana, and the two were married there on December 1, 1984 after a six month courtship. After 20 years of marriage they felt God leading them to adopt a child and with the assistance of KidsFirst Adoption Agency they traveled to Tomsk, Russia (Siberia) in late November, 2004. On December 1, 2004, on their 20th wedding anniversary, Joe and Deborah sat through a grueling two hours proceeding in a Russian courtroom finalizing the adoption of their beautiful daughter Liza Kirgizova Elizaveta Anatolievna, renamed Liza Maria, 8 years old. Joseph and his family loved to travel especially to Europe and did so extensively throughout their marriage. They also loved cruising and sailed the Western, Eastern, and Southern Caribbean, culminating in him and his wife’s bucket list cruise of the Mediterranean sailing from Venice, Italy to Barcelona, Spain in August, 2018. Joseph had a quiet demeanor and yet extremely witty, playful and sometimes quite the prankster. He always had a sparkle in his beautiful blue eyes and a charming sweet smile on his face. He loved riding motorcycles and did so from his teenage years well into his 70’s. He will be deeply missed and was so loved. Joseph is survived by Deborah Zollman, his adoring and devoted wife of 41 years, daughter Liza (Shawn) Hofmann, sister Loretta (Walt) Minnick, brother William “Bill” (Marsha) Zollman, cherished and fun-loving uncle to Kenny (Mindy) Jobe, William Zollman, Melinda Pryor, Michelle (Jason) Byers, and John Zollman, grandchildren Lucy Jo Hofmann, and Oliver Thomas Hofmann.

Visitation for Joe will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, from 11:00-1:00 at Westside Church, 8610 West 10th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46234, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 pm. A private burial will follow.

Memorial contributions can be made to Westside Church of the Nazarene Missions, Dementia Society of America (dementiasociety.org), Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (alzfdn.org), Prostate Cancer Foundation (pcf.org)