Jeff A. Zaring, 61, of Centralia, passed away on May 24, 2024, at the Boone Hospital Center.
Jeff was born on June 18, 1962, to Shirley (Brooks) Zaring in Mexico, Missouri. He spent the last 30 years with his partner, Paula Petty, by his side. Jeff enjoyed working on the McBride Family Farm before his health affected him doing that. He loved working with his hands doing woodworking projects that he ultimately gave away to friends and family. He was employed with Boone County Lumber where he was known as “Hopper”. He enjoyed tractor pulls, John Deere tractors and trains. He was proud to be a firefighter with the Centralia Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years. He had a saying, “quality over quantity”, that he applied to his life and everything he did.
Jeff is survived by his partner, Paula; his mother, Shirley Zaring; daughter, Stephanie Sanders; two stepsons, Kyle Worley (Jenny) and Richard Petty (Katy); five grandchildren, Kaleb Worley, Kameron Worley, Adam Petty (Shelby), Aidan Petty, and Serenity Berry; great granddaughter, Eliza Petty and numerous other family and friends.
Jeff's last ride on 1102 Centralia Fire truck will be on June 22 at 6 pm. We are asking for anyone who wants to come, to meet us on the west side of the city square to send him off for the last time. The family will have a private family celebration of life that evening.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Centralia Fire Department, 208 West Sneed, Centralia, MO 65240
Online condolences may be shared at www.bachyager.com.
Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel of Columbia is honored to serve the family.
