Harold “Hal ” Douglas Zantop Sr. Major, USAF

Hal was born on August 14, 1934, in the little village of Parma, Michigan to Alma Wilkinson and Howard Zantop.  He grew up in the Parma United Church and the town’s public-school system, participating in multiple varsity sports and graduating as valedictorian of his senior class.  His favorite reading material for many years was the Parma News, where he kept up on all his former classmates and neighbors.

As a Michigan State Spartan, Hal played Freshman Basketball, became a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and the ROTC.  His transition to the United States Air Force, where he ultimately achieved the rank of Major, took him to Texas A & M for a master’s degree in Meteorology.  Weather forecasting for the Air Force pilots was a joy for him, and led to many a guest weather radio broadcasts in the Detroit Metropolitan area.  After graduation from A & M, Hal was stationed in Langley, Virginia, where he continued to participate in basketball and volleyball, and won a first place trophy for the Air Force in badminton.  During his time in Virginia, Hal met his first wife, Barbara (Bobbi) Railey, while both were working lighting on a production of Arsenic and Old Lace at the Hampton Playhouse in Hampton, Virginia.

They moved to Allen Park, Michigan, where they married, and Hal joined the family business, Zantop Air Transport, which later became Zantop International Airlines at Willow Run Airport.  Hal continued to have an active role in the USAF and Michigan Air National Guard, while stationed at Selfridge Air Force Base.  He and Bobbi raised 6 children in Allen Park, where he was ordained as an Elder in the Allen Park United Presbyterian Church.  For many years he served as Scoutmaster for Troop 1051, mentoring his sons to Eagle Scout.  Hal passed on his love for all sports to his children and grandchildren and supported them by attending track, swim and dive meets, and basketball, volleyball, football, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey games during their early and college years.  Hal went on to earn a Law Degree from the Detroit College of Law in 1977.

Hal and Bobbi raised 6 children, who went on to raise 13 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.  Hal is survived by 5 of his 6 children:  Michael, David, Douglas, Melissa, and Melanie.  His oldest son, Donald Zantop, DVS, pre-deceased him.  Hal is also survived by his 3 sisters: Anne Cioffi, Linda Clark, and Sandra Battle, and 18 Zantop and Wilkinson cousins.

Network 21 was an important part of Hal’s life and during his long-time membership he developed lifelong friends throughout the world.  He married Dian Pastor, who he met through Network 21, and is survived by her son and 3 daughters, and their children.

Hal is also survived by his partner in life of many years, Diana Elijah, and her loving family of Morocco, Indiana.  Hal was active in 3 churches during his time in Indiana:  Martinsville Presbyterian Church, Mt. Ayr United Methodist Church, and Brook United Methodist Church, where a small memorial service for friends and family was officiated by the Reverend Wayne Williams shortly after Hal’s passing.

Please join with us as family and friends are invited to gather for a Celebration of Life* for Hal on Saturday, November 27^th at The Boathouse at Evans Lake.  The address is 1245 Michigan Avenue, Tipton, MI, 49287; approximately 30 minutes southwest of Ann Arbor.  The event will begin at 1:00 pm, with speakers starting at 2:00 pm.  Attendees are welcome to stay and visit with old friends and family and share stories of time spent with Hal!  There will be food and drinks offered.

The family will be putting together a media presentation of Hal’s life journey and would love to hear from anyone who has pictures, stories, videos, etc. to share.  We would also love to record some of the short stories about Hal to share with everyone.  If you have any questions about the details for the Celebration of Life, or are interested in participating or providing stories, photos, or videos, please reach out directly to Melissa at mzantop@zc-corp.com.

In closing, we’d like to share an opportunity for you to make donations on Hal’s behalf.  When Hal’s first wife Bobbi passed in 2014, a Trust was set up for their daughter, Melanie Zantop, to ensure her life-long needs would be met.  If you would like to donate in Hal’s name, the family would suggest sending a check made out to The Graham Family Trust, with Hal’s name in the memo line.  These donations are greatly appreciated and will help to support Melanie’s needs.  Checks can be mailed to:  The Graham Family Trust, 3500 S. King Street – Unit 76, Denver, CO, 80236.

*Masks required for Celebration of Life

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