02/22/2026
Anthony “Tony” John Zell, of Lansing, KS, passed away in his home on February 16, 2026 at the age of 73. Tony was born Anthony John Zeludziewicz in Chicago, Illinois on July 15, 1952, and later changed his last name to Zell in 1964. Tony grew up in the Chicagoland area and graduated from Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL in 1970. Tony served his country proudly in the United States Marine Corps. He could be summed up in three words: Family, Corps, and Country. Tony loved to help others and was always available to lend a hand at a moment’s notice. He was respected by all who knew him as he was honest, compassionate, and direct.
Tony had a memorable and lengthy career in the United States Marine Corps. His military career started in 1972 after graduating from the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL with his Associates of Arts in Political Science. The summer following this graduation, he enlisted into the USMCR and attended Basic Training as a Private. After completing his initial basic training in Parris Island, South Carolina, Tony enrolled in Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL to complete his bachelor’s degree in political science. While at Southern Illinois University, Tony completed Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. Upon graduation with his 4-year degree in 1974, Tony was commissioned into the USMCR as a 2nd Lieutenant and in 1976 he advanced to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. In the summer of 1978, Tony was discharged from the USMCR and commissioned into the USMC where he continued his notable military career as a Naval Aviator after finishing initial flight training school in Pensacola, FL in 1976 where he earned his aviator wings. He completed his flight training on the CH-46 helicopter later that same year where he attained the callsign “Stretch” in Jacksonville, NC. He continued his military education at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA in 1988 and moved on to complete his master’s degree in strategic studies and international relations in 1993 from the Naval War College in Newport, RI.
Tony continued to advance through the ranks of Captain (1981), Major (1985), and Lieutenant Colonel (1991). Tony served as Joint Education Political Planner at the Pentagon in 1987 to 1988. Tony then relocated to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, where he served in various roles at TransComm. In 1993, as a Lieutenant Colonel, Tony was selected to be Commanding Officer of HMM-264, “Black Knights” squadron at Marine Corps Air Station New River, Jacksonville, NC, and maintained this appointment until 1995. After being promoted to Colonel in 1996, Tony relocated to Ft. Leavenworth, KS to serve as Deputy Director and then Director of the Marine Corps Detachment. Tony completed his military career in Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the Division Air Officer and finally as the Director of Safety and Standards, before finally retiring in 1999 after 27 years of distinguished service.
Tony supported humanitarian operations in 1994 on the USS Wasp. He was deployed to the Caribbean for over five months engaged in “Operation Support Democracy” and “Operation Uphold Democracy.” Tony led multiple operational missions into Haiti during this time to extract civilians to safety and provide humanitarian support.
During his career, he exemplified the United States Marine Corps values of Unit, Corps, God, and Country. Tony was awarded the USMC Aviator Badge, Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one star, Meritorious Service Medal with one star, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Ribbon with three stars, Joint Meritorious Unit Citation Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters, Expert Rifleman Badge and Expert Pistol Badge. Tony logged several thousand hours of flight time during his service.
Tony enjoyed many hobbies that included golfing, fishing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He spent many hours every week working on his golf game and was actively involved in local men’s golf leagues in Kansas and enjoyed golfing in Michigan every summer. Tony had an affinity for fishing and enjoyed this activity with family and friends in Pentwater, Michigan. He hosted a fishing tournament every fall in Pentwater and those that attended have memories for a lifetime. He spent time traveling across the US to visit family and enjoyed vacationing with his wife Judy. Tony found joy in cooking and feeding people. He cooked on Sundays and participated in serving the congregation at the Korean Methodist Church of Leavenworth.
Tony is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Judy; his children Anthony (Tamsin) Zell, Jr., Andrew (Shelley) Zell, step-sons Robert (Nancy) Polston, Aaron (Megan) Polston; the lights of his life – his grandchildren – Liam, Joshua, Jade, Emma, and Jett; his mother Carol Zell; sisters Judy Zell, Sue Straka, Shannyn Zell-Willett and brother John Zell, Jr. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father John Stephen Zell, birth mother Anna Mae Zell, first wife Cathleen Ann Zell, sisters Joyce Lynn Eckert and Tracy Lyn Zell.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, at the funeral home. Burial with Marine Honors will follow at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or the Korean Methodist Church, 1526 10th Ave., Leavenworth, KS, 66048.