Rev. Timothy Zingale

Reverend Timothy Barton Zingale was born on April 11, 1947 in Avon Lake, Ohio to Anthony and Edna Zingale.  At the age of four Tim was diagnosed with polio.  Tim struggled his entire life with the effects of polio.  Tim fought against adversity and judgement based on his physical disabilities to get everything he wanted and deserved.  His fight started early to go to a "traditional" school in second grade and his fight to be seen as an equal continued his entire life.

After graduating from Valley Forge High School, he ventured to Iowa where he attended Wartburg College.  At Wartburg he started out as a pre-theology major, then a theatre major and transitioned into his final major: elementary education. He graduated and got married on the weekend of May 30, 1970.  He married Wanda Jean Hodges who was also a student at Wartburg.  They stayed in the Waverly area while Wanda finished her degree.  They moved to Manson to teach at the local school and helped with the Luther League at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.  While in Manson, Tim decided to attend Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque.  While on internship in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin they had their first child, Sara.  Melissa and Anthony followed in Primghar and Irwin while Tim was serving at their respective Lutheran churches. 

At the age of 40 Tim had to retire from his career as a Lutheran pastor due to his health issues.  As he was unable to continue as a traditional pastor he started supply preaching, helping at Saint Olaf Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge and developed his online ministry.  Tim started a website to mentor and help other pastors world-wide.  He taught himself to code and started posting sermon illustrations and writing new sermons.  Tim’s sermons can still be found online by searching “Pastor Tim Zingale”. He was very thankful that he was able to reach out to 200-300 pastors weekly.  When Wanda retired and they moved to Pella, Tim officially retired from his online ministry as well.

Tim loved his family; his life partner, Wanda, his kids, grandkids and extended family.  Tim liked trains, clowns, including clown ministry, following the Hawkeyes, Brown's and  the Indian's, spending time with friends and playing cards.  As his health declined, he looked forward to visitors coming over and hearing about everyone's adventures.

Tim is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Edna, his nephew, Chad, and his mother-in-law, Viola and his special Aunt Rose.

He has left behind many to miss and love him especially his wife, Wanda, children: Sara (Jeff) Bartine, Melissa (David) Sharkey and Anthony (Emily) Zingale, his grandchildren: Adam, Elyn, Rebecca, Isaiah, Noah, Elizabeth, Joseph, Samantha, and Ethan.  He is also survived by his and Wanda's siblings: Jim (Jeanne) Zingale, Carol (Dan) Milligan, Sherry (Bill) VonBehren and Myrna (Chuck) Jurries, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Tim's listening ear, calm and patient demeanor and perseverance will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Peace Lutheran Church Columbarium Project or Wartburg Theological Seminary. 

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