of Harrison, AR

April 6, 1925 - October 29, 2015

Andrew John Zupka, age 90, of Harrison, was born near Kansas City, Missouri April 6, 1925, to Andrew Paul and Minnie Bernadine (Spannhof) Zupka. He passed away Thursday, October 29, 2015, in Harrison. Along with his parents, Andrew was preceded in death by his brothers, Thomas and Paul; his sisters, Anna and Virginia; and his step-daughter, Judy Lacey Milum. He and his brothers and sisters all went to work before finishing high school to help the family buy the necessities during the Great Depression.

Andrew volunteered for the Army and spent two years in Korea. He was able to pass the high school G.E.D. test to get a diploma using the GI Bill. After the Army, he enrolled in junior college in Kansas City. He attended Teachers College at Cape Girardeau, Missouri where he received a Bachelor's Degree and began teaching in Carbondale, Illinois. Andrew received a Masters Degree and became an elementary school principal. He spent 30 years in education and retired in 1980 moving from Mattoon, Illinois to Harrison.

After retirement, Andrew worked two years as a park ranger on the Buffalo River. He volunteered as a wood carver at Silver Dollar City for many years and volunteered to give free income tax service. He donated over ten gallons of blood to the Red Cross over the years as well.

Andrew married Lena Jackson, who died in 1977, and later married Opal Lois Boren in 1982, who both preceded him in death. They were both good Christian women who helped him lead a Christian life. He taught Bible classes in the Church of Christ for many years and was instrumental in the creation and continuation of the Golden Years Class at Northside Church of Christ.

Andrew is survived by his son, David Zupka; his step-son-in-law, Larry Milum; his granddaughter, Beth Hudson; his great-grandson, Blake Hudson; his grandson, John Milum and wife Lauren; and several nieces and nephews.


Visitation was Sunday, November 1, 2015, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.

Funeral service was Monday, November 2, 2015, at Ridgeway Church of Christ, with Bill Arnold officiating.

Interment was in Maplewood Cemetery.

Pallbearers were James Roy Jackson, Larry Milum, David Zupka, John Milum, Ken Hulsey and James Carter.

Honorary pallbearers were J. D. Villines, Sam Alexander, Rudolph Brown, Nancy Boren, Coffee Cup Drinkers at McDonalds and members of the Harrison Senior Center.

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