By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
A lot of unknowns were left when brothers Billy and Lewis Zornes passed away in a kayaking accident in June. One of those unknowns was answered Thursday when the Zornes Auction Factory held its first auction since that fateful day.
The auctioneer for the first auction was Jason Alspach, who will serve as auctioneer during the transition period as Billy Zornes’ son, Michael Zornes, prepares to take over as auctioneer of Zornes Auction Factory.
“I just want to take over in my dad and uncle’s footsteps and just keep the business going. I think it feels pretty good; a little hard the first few sales, but it will get better,” Michael said. “My dad always told me – he said, ‘I’m going to start the business you just need to finish it.’”
Michael will be taking his first steps towards becoming an auctioneer Friday as he begins attending the same school that his father Billy attended to obtain his auctioneering license.
Alspach explained that he is auctioneering for the interim to pay back for the experience the Zornes brothers gave him as an apprentice.
“I’m glad that they came to me and asked to come up and do the auction for them, that makes me feel really good,” Alspach said. “Billy and Lewis gave me the opportunity to become an auctioneer, come into their business world and learn the business with them side by side. Paying the favor back to them by helping Michael establish his auctioneer’s license really means a lot.”
Ruthie Zornes, mother of Billy and Lewis, thanked everyone for their support.
“The outpouring of support has been overwhelming,” Ruthie said. “The boys had been doing this for 15 years, and some clientele have been with them the entire time.”
Zornes Auction Factory worker Pam Grubel explained that this was going to be a hard auction, but that she didn’t want it to be a sad one.
“This is the hardest thing we have had to do,” Grubel said. “We don’t want it to be a sad auction because the boys were always known for their fun auctions.”
Prior to the sale starting, the auction house quickly filled up to the point where it was standing room only in the building. Jim Ripinski, who travelled from Toledo, said he wasn’t going to miss this auction for the world.
“I have been coming for a couple years now,” Ripinski said. “When Billy and Wayne were here it was more like a family affair. Everything was a friendly atmosphere. I made a lot of new friends down this way with some of the local people that live around here.”
Laurie Szymczaki explained that the Zornes were friends with her and her husband for years, and they supported their auctioneering business.
“Billy, Wayne, and Ruthie have been friends of ours for years,” Szymczaki said. “My husband used to work with Billy over at Oberlander’s and then Billy got away and started his own auction house, and we followed him all the way,” Szymczaki said. “We never went to another auction that we enjoyed in all of our life. We are glad it’s back up and running. It’s going to be a hard one tonight, but they have a lot of loving people here for them.”
Ruthie Zornes explained that, like in the past, Zornes Auction Factory will hold auctions every Thursday, though during the transition period the Auction Factory may skip a few Thursdays.
A benefit auction for the Zornes brothers will be held at the Zornes Auction Factory on Saturday, Oct. 17. Doors open for the event, which features a meal, entertainment by JJ the DJ, a 50/50 drawing, as well as, an auction Cost for the meal and entertainment will be $8. Donations can be made by contacting Debbie at 419-310-4331, Ashley at 419-569-7532, or Troy at 419-569-1200. Proceeds from the benefit auction will go towards finishing covering the expenses.
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