Ralph Harlan Zolman, known by his middle name, Harlan, passed away at the age of 79 on the morning of July 27, 2024, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon after struggling with Parkinson’s and cirrhosis of the liver. He was born on October 21, 1944, in Mount Vernon at Mercy Hospital, the son of Robert “Bob” Zolman and Mary Zolman (Weaver), and had an older brother, Keith Jennings Zolman. Harlan grew up in Fredericktown on his family farm and worked at the family’s butcher shop and restaurant, famously known for pork and his grandmother’s famous pies at Zolman’s Meat Market and Restaurant. He shared duties around the market with his cousins, Terry and Debbi Zolman. As they delivered custom-cut meats to other restaurants around the central Ohio area, he made countless friends.

In 1964, Harlan married his high school sweetheart, Loretta (Whited) Zolman, and together they had two sons, Rod (Lori Myers) and Jon (Tracy Wiebenga). He was a devoted grandfather to Taylor Zolman (Mike Beaver), Sutton Zolman (Mason Durfee), and Sydney Zolman (Matt Obertanec). He was also a proud great-grandfather to Aspen Spurgeon, Kinsley Beaver, and Vera Obertanec, aged five (Aspen and Kinsley) and one year old (Vera).
Harlan proudly served in the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division as a Cobra gunship mechanic during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970. Though he received standard accommodations and awards, he was known for his leadership among the younger soldiers, thanks to his maturity and age.

Professionally, Harlan managed full-service car washes across mid-Ohio for the AU family and Ziebart Car Care facilities in northern mid-Ohio. He later worked at Ariel Corporation in assembly and the spare parts division, retiring in July 2009 after 28 years of service.
Harlan was passionate about drag racing. He joined Pacemakers’ Rod and Custom Club at 14, eventually becoming a beloved figure at the local drag strip. He owned many high-performance cars, including Super Sport Chevy IIs, Novas, a ’63 Corvette, and others. He rekindled his passion for racing with his son Rod, building a Ford Falcon race car and working at Pacemakers until the 1980s. Harlan’s dedication to the sport continued as he helped his granddaughters with their junior dragster racing efforts. A familiar sight at the track, he taught his granddaughters to drive on a golf cart at the track and at his well-maintained seven-acre yard.

In 2013, when the family took over operations of Pacemakers, Harlan found his retirement role running the fuel shed. Despite the challenges of managing the track, including weather and pandemic restrictions, he cherished the time spent bonding with his brother Keith, rekindling their brotherly relationship.

Harlan was a subdued, kind person who was always willing to help. He enjoyed watching his son Jon’s competitive bass fishing and BMX racing adventures. His main passion in life was his family. Harlan was known by many of his nieces and nephews from his wife Loretta’s large family of nine sisters and two brothers as a dear uncle and favorite. He will be missed.

A graveside service will be held at a later date.

The Snyder Funeral Homes in Mount Vernon are honored to serve the family of Ralph Harlan Zolman.

Funeral Home: Snyder

Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com