Alexander T. Zielen

Alexander T. Zielen, 93, of Indianapolis, formerly of Crystal Lake, Illinois and Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. He was born on June 19, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Lawrence A. and Louise C. (Scruch) Zielen. Alexander was married to Helen L. Blackaby in October 1953 in Batavia, Illinois. She preceded him in death on November 4, 1977 in Fort Collins, Colorado. He then married Martha Jean Thomas on May 19, 1979 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Alexander was a May 1949 graduate of Gregg College, School of Shorthand Reporting, in Chicago, Illinois, after which he spent the next 46 years as a Certified Shorthand Reporter, Registered Professional Reporter and Official Court Reporter. He spent 19 of those years as an Official Court Reporter in the 19th Judicial Circuit of Illinois (Lake and McHenry Counties) and 7 years in the 8th Judicial District, Larimer County, Colorado. The remaining years, before and after the officialships, were spent as a free-lance reporter. Alexander served in the U.S. Navy during WWII from December 1942 – January 1946, during which time he served on the USS Flaherty, DE 135 from November 1943 – January 1946. On June 4, 1944, USS Guadalcanal Task Group 22.3, consisting of the aircraft carrier USS Guadalcanal CVE 60, Destroyer Escorts Pillsbury 133, Pope 134, Flaherty 135, Chatelain 149 and Jenks 665, while on anti-submarine patrol in the Atlantic Ocean, participated in the boarding and capturing of German submarine U – 505, 150 miles west of Cape Blanco, French West Africa. It was the first enemy warship captured on the high seas in 132 years. The initial boarding of the German U-505 was accomplished by boarding parties from the USS Pillsbury and USS Guadalcanal. One the submarine was brought under control, the submarine was towed 2500 miles to Bermuda and eventually found its way to the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Illinois, where it has been a popular exhibit since 1954. While years working in his profession, Alexander was a member of the National Court Reporters Association, American Legion Post 4 of LaPorte, Colorado, CAPE, and other organizations. He enjoyed various sports, particularly golf, reading, and whenever possible, traveling. Alexander is survived by his loving wife, Martha Zielen; daughter, Terri (Michael) Ford; son, Gary (Sandy) Thomas; 5 grandchildren, Connie (Chad) Holstine, Cindy Woehrel, Nathan (Susan) Miller, Samuel Thomas, Trevor (Sharon) Thomas; 11 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. Alexander is also survived by his nieces, Vicki (Jay) Hatfield, Erin (David) Hayden of Trivoli, Illinois; and nephew, Ethan Allen (Doris) Blackaby of Prescott, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jean Padgett; brothers, Edward, Theodore and Walter; as well as an adopted brother, Michael. Funeral services for Mr. Zielen will be held on Monday, January 23, 2017 at 1pm in Flanner and Buchanan – Memorial Park. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service, also at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.