Zachary David Bushatz

BUSHATZ, Zachary David, 34, of Dayton, OH died unexpectedly Monday, July 11 at Miami Valley Hospital. He was born April 23, 1982, in Upper Sandusky to David and Peggy Bushatz of LaRue. Zach married Kehlen Dillon on June 4, 2011. Their daughter Maeve Elizabeth was born August 16, 2015. Homeschooled throughout grade school and high school, Zach was a presidential scholar at Ohio Northern University, graduating with honors in History, Political Science and Criminal Justice. While at ONU, he competed 4 years on the Ohio Northern Mock Trial Team, played alto sax in the Jazz and Symphonic Bands, and served as a history tutor. While attending ONU Petit College of Law, he was an active moot court participant, officer, advocate and volunteer with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. Zach received his juris doctor from ONU in 2008. After graduation, Zach practiced law in greater Dayton area and continued to share his passion for law by volunteering as a coach for the University of Dayton Mock Trial Team. Zach had an incredible breadth of knowledge that included books, politics, movies, music, religion, and especially sports. He was passionate about the Buckeyes, Browns, and Indians, and was overjoyed when the Cavaliers won the NBA championship. In the fall, the wearing of his 1998 OSU David Boston game jersey on Saturdays and his old Browns "dawg pound" t-shirt on Sundays was legendary. Zach claimed Jesus Christ as his Savior at the tender age of six and served the Lord faithfully through care and devotion to his wife, daughter, family, friends, and acquaintances all of his life. Though he faced numerous physical challenges from birth, he never complained but strove to be the best he could be. He was an incredibly kind, compassionate, and accepting individual. In short, if you knew Zach, you liked him. Although his life was much too short, it is aptly described by a quote from Abraham Lincoln: "In the end, it's not the years in your life, it's the life in your years." One of his greatest joys was the birth of his daughter Maeve. He never seemed to get enough of her. Maeve was so excited when he walked in the door at the end of the day and he gave her his undivided attention. Each evening he delighted in bathing her and reading to her. She was the light of his life. Zach is survived by his wife, daughter, and parents; his brother Luke (Amy) Bushatz and their children David and Huck of Palmer, AK; sisters Callie (Daniel) Timms and their children Thomas, Titus and Caitie of Winnsboro, SC; and Sandy (Dave) Kovacs and their children Victoria, Dawson and Madelyn of Fulton, OH; in-laws Terry and Jenny Dillon, Dayton, OH; and sister in-law Katrina Dillon, Albuquerque, NM; grandmothers Maxine Neff and Kitty Hartman of Marion, Ohio, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who also mourn his passing. The family would very much like to thank Dr. Denise Adams and her excellent staff at the Hemangioma and Vascular Malformation Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital for the tremendous care they provided Zach. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 15 at 6:30 PM at the Richland Road Church of Christ in Marion, OH with Pastor Russell Howard officiating. On Monday, July 18 there will be a visitation from 5 to 7 PM at Routsong Funeral Home, 81 N. Main St. Centerville, OH followed by a funeral service at 7 PM with Pastor Randy Snyder officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Maeve Elizabeth Bushatz Education Fund at any PNC Banking Branch or at PNC Bank, 6067 Far Hills Ave., Dayton, OH 45459.

Funeral Home:
Centerville Routsong Funeral Home
81 N. Main St.
Centerville, OH
US 45459