Richard 'Richie' Michael Zoellner

Richard 'Richie' Michael Zoellner, 50, of Fishers, passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2017, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on February 21, 1967 in Perryville, Missouri. His parents are Joseph and Linda (VanDoren) Basler of Ste. Genevieve, MO. They survive him. Richie is also survived by his wife Stacey McMains whom he married on November 4, 2006.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Stacey (McMains) Zoellner, he is survived by his daughter, Kelsey O'Brien Zoellner; two sisters, Laurie (Eric) Perkins of Macomb, IL and Robin Basler of Ste. Genevieve, MO; two brothers, Rodney (Greta) Basler also of Ste. Genevieve, MO and Randy (Mandy) Basler of St. Louis, MO; his father & mother-in-law, Randy & Nadine McMains of Shelbyville; sisters-in-law, Michelle (Tim) Bryant of Whiteland, IN and Kim (Matt) Sweeney of Fishers, IN; nieces & nephews, Zach, Alyssa, Corinne, Erin, Derek, Nolan, Nate, Hannah, Taylor, Mason and Kaleb; a great-nephew, Benjamin; and his former spouse & friend, Cindy Roy Zoellner of Indianapolis.
He was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Charles & Leona VanDoren; his aunt, Jane (VanDoren) Lottes; and mother-in-law, Nancy (O'Brien) McMains.
Richie grew up in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri and graduated from Ste. Genevieve High School in 1985. He attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he received his Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing. He was a two sport athlete, playing baseball and football at Southeast Missouri State University.
He began his professional career with Foot Locker and, in 1998, he took a chance with a new company, HatWorld. Nineteen years later, shortly before his death, he would still be employed by what is now, LIDS Sports Group, as Senior Manager of Store Facilities. He loved his job and his LIDS family.
He was an amazing athlete and after college he continued competitive sports, playing hockey in Division A leagues in Cincinnati and Fishers. In 1999, he was instrumental in forming the HatWorld North Stars. His teammates would become some of his best friends. In 2014 the team turned the 'N' on their jerseys to a 'Z', the ZStars, to honor him. He played in local softball leagues and he was always ready for a game of whiffle ball or football at family gatherings.
His love of music was unprecedented. He was a drummer all of his life. In 2009, his high school band, StingRay, would reunite and play over a hundred shows until his last on January 31, 2015. The highlight was playing at the Whisky a Go-Go in Los Angeles in July of 2015.
Richie was diagnosed with ALS in February 2013. He was admired for his strength and ability to still smile and enjoy life while he struggled with the disease. Richie Z's Rockin Walkers was formed in 2013, and over the next four years would raise over $100, 000 for the ALS Association of Indiana. He was very proud, knowing that he would be helping others.
Richie was a wonderful husband to Stacey, and a fun and loving daddy to Kelsey. He loved his family and friends, who numbered in the hundreds. He had a smile, a handshake, and later a fist-bump for everyone he met. He had a personality that drew people to him. He loved simple things - fishing, mowing his lawn, a good meal with friends, and being in the country back home in Missouri. Music and sports were his passions. He was a lifelong fan of the Washington Redskins and the NY Yankees, and was a notorious Fantasy league player. He met many of his Rock & Roll idols over the years, attending hundreds of concerts.
His soul was most at home in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, his Heaven on earth.
He was a true Rock Star, the best of the best. He will be missed more than words can say.
Services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at Randall & Roberts Fishers Mortuary, 12010 Allisonville Road in Fishers, with Pastor Mark Wright officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Indianapolis.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a fund set up for Kelsey's college education. In a lifetime of achievements, she is his greatest! Checks can be made to the following: BlackRock College Advantage 529, PO Box 9783, Providence, RI 02940, Acct# 0005364104.