Associates remember former Zanesville Mayor Howard Zwelling

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- A former Zanesville Mayor known for his dedication and service to the community has passed away.

Howard “Butch” Zwelling served as Mayor of Zanesville from 2005 to 2012. He also served as a Municipal Court Judge and a Common Pleas Court Judge. Zwelling was well liked among his colleagues. Former Mayor Don Mason said Zwelling is a kind person you want on your team.

“If you had to put a dream team together of people from our area, Zanesvillians, who care about the community, but then also got involved you would have Howard “Butch” Zwelling on that dream team,” said Mason.

Mason went on to talk about how Zwelling was able to get along with anyone he came across.

“Howard “Butch” Zwelling wasn’t just a compassionate person about Zanesville. He was compassionate person about helping other people. I have friends who it really doesn’t matter what their religion was, what their race was, what their gender was they all loved Butch because at some point in time he’s helped them or they’ve worked together on something.”

Zwelling was in office when Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of the Gulf Coast and Mason said he wasted no time assisting those in need. In addition to help others, Zwelling was known for his kind words and personality. Mollie Crooks, a County Commissioner, said Zwelling’s passing is a big loss to the community.

“Every time I saw him he just always had a smile, how are you doing, you’re doing a great job; and the one day he said, ‘you’re really a businesswoman’. And for some reason in non-profit they don’t really think of you as a business. And so that just really made an impression that he acknowledged the work that I did and just always looked to him as someone I could count on for that encouraging word.”

Zwelling’s funeral will be on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home. The family is asking for donations made to Zanesville High School Quarterback Club in lieu of flowers. He was 81.