Kalliope Zervos

Cleo (Kalliope) Zervos, 94, passed away October 26th surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chris G. Zervos, a prominent custom home builder and land developer, in 2014, after nearly 70 years of marriage. Mrs. Zervos was born in Toledo, March 4, 1922, the fifth of seven children of Spero and Stavroula Porentas. She was a 1940 graduate of Waite High School. After graduation, she worked for Toledo Jewelers as a bookkeeper until her marriage to USAF Lt. Chris Zervos on February 11, 1945 on his return from a Bulgarian prisoner of war camp during World War II. The couple completed his tour of duty stateside as their 5-month honeymoon. Chris and Cleo purchased and operated the Delite Nite Club (1946 – 1956) with their sister and brother-in-law, Angeline and George Stratos. When Chris changed careers and became a home improvement general contractor, Cleo was at his side as his partner and secretary. In 1972, when Chris was joined in business by their son and formed Chris Zervos Builders, Inc. a home building company specializing in up-scale homes, Cleo came to work as their office manager. Expanding into land development, they developed Christopher Woods, Hunter’s Green and Timber Ridge Estates, the site of the 1993 HBA Parade of Homes, before their retirement in 1996. Mrs. Zervos was active at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, serving on its parish auxiliary, the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society and as a member of its Board. An avid sports and fitness enthusiast, at the age of 65, she represented Philoptochos in basketball tournaments against the parish’s youth group. Throughout her life she took great pride in her flower garden and her culinary specialties. She was known for welcoming and opening her home to new parishioners, as an unofficial parish greeter. A tireless festival volunteer until the age of 91, the parish honored Cleo in 2007 for her outstanding service. Cleo was also a member of the Toledo Home Builders Association Auxiliary and Holy Trinity’s Young-At-Heart. Mrs. Zervos is survived by her sister, Fritzie (Richard) Hess of Atlanta and children: Barbara (Evan) Batsakes of Ypsilanti, MI; Chris (Persilla) Zervos of Toledo; Dianne (Peter) Sun of Poquoson, VA; and Debbie (Robert) Ritchie of Tampa, FL; grandchildren James Batsakes of Ann Arbor, Stephanie (Jake) Franklin of Rossford, Christopher (Tricia) Zervos of Loveland, OH, Jacqueline Zervos of Toledo, Michael Sun of Madrid, Spain, Stacey (Matt) Martin of Atlanta, Nic (Kendall) Gavalas of Charlotte, NC, John Gavalas of Tampa; and great grandchildren Kathryn Zervos, Abigail Zervos and Noelle Franklin; and many nieces, nephews, friends and fine neighbors. She was preceded in death by her brothers and their wives George and Antoinette Porentas, John and Alice Porentas, and Zack Porentas; sisters and their husbands Pota and Ed Zimmerman, and Dorothy and Richard Kelmer. The family will receive visitors at Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, OH 43613 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 28th with Trisagion Prayers offered at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at Holy Trinity Cathedral at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 29th. The family thanks the staff and residents of Sunset House, Ashanti Hospice and Comfort Keepers for their tender care and friendship. Memorial tributes may be made to Holy Trinity Cathedral Endowment Fund, c/o 740 Superior St., Toledo, OH 43604.

Kalliope Zervos

March 4, 1922 - October 26, 2016