Patriarch of Lombard's Mr. Z's supermarket dies

Lombard is mourning a local businessman and community supporter.

The village board devoted a moment of silence Thursday night in honor of Robert Zeidler, patriarch of the family-owned Mr. Z's, an award-winning Lombard landmark.

Zeidler, who ran the supermarket more recently with son Robert, died earlier this month at the age of 80 after a battle with colon cancer.

Friends and family bade farewell to the Villa Park resident earlier this week.

"He was a real community-minded person," Village President William Mueller said. "He was there to help all community programs: the Scouts, Lions, Elmhurst Hospital, the YMCA."

For years, Zeidler not only ran the store that was an extension to his father's original Mr. Z's location in Chicago, but he also supported many community groups.

Zeidler and wife Patricia, who died in November 2004 after a battle with cancer, were both civic-minded, and their charitable natures will benefit residents' health for years to come. Patricia and Robert Zeidler contributed money to help pay for the Magnuson Pavilion at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and also donated money for the lobby at the new Elmhurst Memorial Lombard Health Center.

Zeidler is also survived by daughter, Sandra, and other relatives.