Returning to Canton, M. W. Brother Zahler decided to affiliate with his family’s business, The Sand Rock Mineral Water Company. Following the retirement of his partner, his brother Dick Zahler, also a member of Clinton Lodge No. 47, the business is now solely owned by Tom and Jodine Zahler and two of their children, Kristine and Charles, another member of Clinton Lodge, who represent the fourth generation serving the company.
M. W. Brother Zahler married Jodine E. Lorius on November 1, 1963 and they have been blessed with five children, Marianne Burns of Canton, Charles J. and Kristine E. Zahler of Massillon, Thomas M. of Midlothian, Virginia and Barbara J. Alenik of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Six beautiful grandchildren make the Zahler family complete.
M. W. Brother Zahler has been a life member of The First Church of the Resurrection in Canton and has served as a Deacon and as a Sunday School teacher for over thirty years.
Brother Thomas D. Zahler was raised a Master Mason on November 21, 1966 in Clinton Lodge No. 47 of Massillon and served as its Worshipful Master in 1971-72. In 1970 he conceived the Massillon Masonic Bulletin which he edited for fifteen years. He was elected Secretary of the Stark County Masters, Wardens, & Deacons Assn. in 1973 and 74 and served as a District Deputy Grand Master of the 21st Masonic District in 1976, 77, and 78.
He is affiliated with all of the York Rite Bodies; Hiram Chapter No. 18 and Massillon Commandery No.4 of Massillon and Canton Council No. 35 R. & S. M. of Canton. He is also a Past Worthy Patron of Hadassah Chapter No. 108, O. E. S.
He is a Past Commander-in-Chief of Stark Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Canton and was Coroneted a thirty-third degree Mason in Boston, Massachusetts on September 26, 1984.
He is a member of the Past Master’s Unit of Tadmor Shrine in Akron and he received the Honorary DeMolay Legion of Honor at their Annual Conclave at Bowling Green University in July 1992.
M. W. Brother Zahler was appointed Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Ohio by M. W. Brother Richard M. Wilson, Grand Master, on October 13, 1984. He was appointed Junior Grand Deacon by M.W. Brother Robert E. See, Grand Master on October 18, 1986 and was subsequently appointed Senior Grand Deacon in 1987, Grand Marshal in 1988, and Grand Orator in 1989. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1990, Senior Grand Warden in 1991, and Deputy Grand Master in 1992. He was elected and installed as Grand Master of Masons in Ohio on October 16. 1993.
M. W. Brother Zahler currently resides in Canton, Ohio.