C.J. "Corny" Fink, 78, of Zell, SD, died Saturday, January 5, 2013 at his home near Zell. His funeral will be Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Zell. Father Christopher Hughes will celebrate the Mass. After the funeral, Corny will be cremated and his ashes will be buried at a later date. Visitation will be Monday from 1-7:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield, SD. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Cornelius Joseph "Corny" was born March 31, 1934 on the family farm north of Zell to Edward and Genevieve (Sihrer) Fink. He graduated from Redfield High School in 1953 and served in the National Guard and then in the United States Army until he was honorably discharged in 1959. Corny married Ella Mae Nichols in Duncan, OK, in 1959 and they made their home near Zell. Corny farmed with his brother Red. He worked for Leinen Construction and for Al Hagman building several houses in the area. Corny also worked as a carpenter at the South Dakota Developmental Center in Redfield for 30 plus years.

C.J. enjoyed playing cards, visiting with family and friends and will always be remembered for his story telling and for telling and playing jokes. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Zell and then St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield and was a member of the Redfield Knights of Columbus.

Corny is survived by his wife Ella Mae of Zell, his children Jim (Mary) Fink of Fairview, MT; Andrew (Steph Cremers) Fink of Redfield, SD; Janice (Doug) Kenzy of Riverside, CA; Jon Fink of Corona, CA and Tom Fink of Zell, SD. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, his brother Red (Carol) Fink of Zell and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers: Stan and Harold, one sister Doris and one nephew DJ Fink and a daughter in-law Amy.