Sidney Gene “Sid” Zinter Jr. of Ione passed away on April 20, 2025 at the age of 78 surrounded by his family.
Sid was born in Heppner on March 31, 1947 to Sidney Zinter Sr. and Mary Cain Zinter.
He graduated from Ione High School in 1965 and attended Eastern Oregon University and majored in chemistry, where he joined the National Guard.
Sid married Mary Lynn Berryman in 1971 and they welcomed their son, Barney Zinter in 1976. The couple divorced a few years later. Then in 1981 Sid married Barbara Jean Gardner, and together they had two sons, Joshua and Jason. Sid and Barbara enjoyed 44 years of marriage together.
Sid was a part owner of Rafter Z Ranches with his three sons, Barney, Josh, and Jason. They worked in cattle ranching, farming, logging, and guided hunts for deer and elk.
Sid is survived by his wife, Barbara Zinter of Ione; his sons, Barney (Tammy) Zinter of Milton-Freewater, Joshua Zinter of Ione and Jason (Katilyn) Zinter of Heppner; his two granddaughters; his sister, Julie Kalegi of Bellevue, Wash. and her three sons; and many great uncles and cousins.
Sid was preceded in death by his parents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A celebration of life service will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 1 p.m. at the Christian Life Center in Heppner.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Shriners, Christian Life Center in Heppner, or Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice in Sid’s name may be directed to Sweeney Payton Mortuary, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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