Joel Alexander
Zelle
September 7, 1950 - September 6, 2019
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Resided in Michigan
On September 6, 2019 WJR Radio personality Joel Zelle, also known as Joel Alexander, lost his courageous battle with glioblastoma. He was 68.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lynne Zelle of West Bloomfield, as well as daughters Jennifer (Tom) Butman of Ypsilanti, and Ashley (Jason) Johnson of Brighton. He also leaves 3 grandchildren, Ava, Jack and Hudson, as well as 2 sisters, Marilyn Williams (Ed Peters) and Laurie (Paul) Trupp, both of Connecticut.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marian and Joseph Zelle, of Stratford, Connecticut.
Joel was an avid lover of music, nature, aviation, bicycling and golf. He will always be remembered as a compassionate, good-hearted, hard-working man who loved his family and friends. He was a master of crossword puzzles, loved playing his trumpet, and enjoyed traveling, especially throughout Northern Michigan.
Joel graduated from Fairfield Prep in Connecticut, and later Emerson College in Boston. He was a well-known radio broadcaster and traffic reporter/helicopter pilot at WJR Radio in Detroit for over 30 years. He also reported traffic for WXYZ/Channel 7 in Detroit. His radio career included broadcasting at WBZ Boston, KDKA Pittsburgh, WIS Columbia, and WSB Atlanta.
At Joel’s request, in lieu of a funeral service, a Celebration of Life took place in March, and Joel was so appreciative to have his closest family and friends in attendance. A private family gathering is planned.
It is suggested that those who wish honor Joel’s memory make a contribution in his name to:
Angela Hospice
14100 Newburgh Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
website
Brain Tumor Research Fund
Michigan Medicine
Department of Neurology
1914 Taubman Center, SPC 5316
1500 E. Medical Center Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5316
734-936-9045
website
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lynne Zelle of West Bloomfield, as well as daughters Jennifer (Tom) Butman of Ypsilanti, and Ashley (Jason) Johnson of Brighton. He also leaves 3 grandchildren, Ava, Jack and Hudson, as well as 2 sisters, Marilyn Williams (Ed Peters) and Laurie (Paul) Trupp, both of Connecticut.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marian and Joseph Zelle, of Stratford, Connecticut.
Joel was an avid lover of music, nature, aviation, bicycling and golf. He will always be remembered as a compassionate, good-hearted, hard-working man who loved his family and friends. He was a master of crossword puzzles, loved playing his trumpet, and enjoyed traveling, especially throughout Northern Michigan.
Joel graduated from Fairfield Prep in Connecticut, and later Emerson College in Boston. He was a well-known radio broadcaster and traffic reporter/helicopter pilot at WJR Radio in Detroit for over 30 years. He also reported traffic for WXYZ/Channel 7 in Detroit. His radio career included broadcasting at WBZ Boston, KDKA Pittsburgh, WIS Columbia, and WSB Atlanta.
At Joel’s request, in lieu of a funeral service, a Celebration of Life took place in March, and Joel was so appreciative to have his closest family and friends in attendance. A private family gathering is planned.
It is suggested that those who wish honor Joel’s memory make a contribution in his name to:
Angela Hospice
14100 Newburgh Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
website
Brain Tumor Research Fund
Michigan Medicine
Department of Neurology
1914 Taubman Center, SPC 5316
1500 E. Medical Center Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5316
734-936-9045
website
