Garrett Brian Zandstra, 78, of Fremont, Indiana, peacefully passed away on January 6, 2026 after a brave battle with melanoma and prostate cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Gary was born on March 25, 1947 in Hammond Indiana, the son of Garrett and Dorothy (Koelikamp) Zandstra, the oldest of their 5 children.
Gary graduated from Illiana High School in 1967. He served 2 years in the Army during the Vietnam War first in the 4th Infantry Division and then in the 25th Infantry Division. He was a specialist 4th Class and earned his Combat Infantry Badge. His unit received the Presidential Unit Citation for the battle of LZ Gold/Sou Tre.
After returning from the service, he went on to Indiana University from 1968-1972 to study photo journalism and business. He worked for the Courier Tribune as a staff photographer in Bloomington.
Gary married Carol Finkbeiner on May 19, 1973 at Trinity English Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne. Gary and Carol were married for more than 52 years. Gary was the owner of Zandstra Fruit Company from 1977 until 2000. During this time he was a council member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Kiwanis, and the Highland Christian School Grounds Committee. He was a man of deep faith and supported many religious outreach programs especially to the hungry and children with special needs.
In his retirement years he was heavily involved in the leadership of the Lake George Conservancy as well as working tirelessly on the acres of conservancy land. He also served as a trustee of the Lake George Sewer Board.
Gary was an avid hunter and fisherman his whole life with favorite spots like Sitka, Alaska and southern Ontario.
Surviving are his wife Carol and daughter Lee (Dori Sabella), his sisters Ruth (Charles) DeVries, Gwen Zandstra, Kass Cooper, and Judy (Boyd) Grant of England, and nephews Chuck Devries, Cole DeVries, and niece Cristine Cooper.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 17th at 10:30 am at Trinty English Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne. A memorial service will be held at noon. Interment will be at a later date.
Memorial donations in Gary’s memory may be directed to either:
Lake George Conservancy at PO Box 564 Fremont, IN 46737
Highland Christian School at 3040 Ridge Road, Highland IN 46322