Bedford, Pennsylvania - Clyde L. "Ike" Zembower, 92, of Bedford, Pa., passed away on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at UPMC Altoona. He was born Feb. 23, 1931, in lower Bedford Valley, a son of Walter and Cozy (Growden) Zembower. He is survived by Norma J. Shaffer-Morris, his wife of 42 years, whom he married on Sept. 4, 1981.

He is also survived by son, Zachary and wife, Dotti (Fought) of Boalsburg; daughter, Leah Rouzer and husband, Bobby of Bedford; son, Mark of Venice, Fla.; son, Eric and wife, Jodie (Kagarise) of Bedford; stepson, Tim Morris and wife, Jayne (Sarver) of Bedford; sister, Nona (Nin) Sears of Cumberland; grandchildren, Ryan Rouzer, Christopher Zembower and wife, Elizabeth, Abbey Milazzo and husband, Matt, Sean Zembower, Jacob Zembower and wife, Dr.

Katie, Mitchell Zembower, and Ely Morris and wife, Kristi; and great-grandchildren, Harvey and Agatha Zembower, Willa and Jack Milazzo. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Bea and Joyce; first wife, Donna (Ingram) Diveglia; and stepson, Dan Morris.

As a young child in Bedford Valley, he became interested in building construction, architecture, automobiles, and airplanes and carried these interests throughout his entire life.

Ike graduated from Bedford High School in 1949 and was self-taught in the building trades as well as mechanical and architectural engineering. His professional career started with building homes with his father and uncle in the mid 1940's. This led to work in the Bedford trucking industry in the early 1950's, Superintendent of Signs for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission from 1958 through 1964, Maintenance and Transportation director at the Bedford Area School District from 1975 through 1986. Throughout this time period, he designed and built over 100 custom ranch-style homes throughout the region.

Ike was the first president of the Cumberland Valley Township Rec Council in 1973 and oversaw the first Labor Day picnic. He served on the Bedford Area School District board in the 1960's and taught bus driving certifications for IU8. He was also an artist, sculptor, sign painter, brick/stone mason, and custom woodworker. He loved music, including the classics, standards, gospel, and country western. He sang in the church choirs at the Centerville United Methodist Church and Calvary Baptist Church, and served on both church boards in various capacities.

He closely followed his children's and grandchildren's music, wrestling, football, and auto racing careers, and very much influenced their professional paths in life. He built his children's homes and directed them with anything mechanical.

Ike followed Penn State football and wrestling along with the Steelers, Pirates, local and national auto racing. The first auto race of hundreds he attended was at the Great Bedford Fair in 1938 with his father. He had fond memories of hunting on Wills Mountain and Evitts Mountain in Cumberland Valley Township. He enjoyed landscaping and tree planting.

Ike and Norma transformed the Shaffer family farm in Briar Valley, Bedford Township into the development they named Shangri Lane. They truly enjoyed their time traveling the US in their camper, cross country twice, and Canada. They cherished their family life, church life, and their beloved cats. He was a lifelong Democrat and followed politics until his last days. He felt very fortunate to have lived in Bedford County and to have a full life with Norma, his and her children, and their families.

Family and friends will be received at the Louis Geisel Funeral Home in Bedford, on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, from 4 to 6 p.m. and on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, from 10 to 11 a.m.

A funeral Service will be held on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at 11 a.m., with Adam Kravits officiating.

Interment will be held at Fellowship Cemetery in Centerville.

The family would like to thank Dr. Baer, the ER department at UPMC Bedford, and the nursing staff at UPMC Altoona, especially Emily.

Online condolences may be expressed at: http://www.geiselfuneral.com/.

Arrangements entrusted to Louis Geisel Funeral Home in Bedford.