Clarence Zeilmann

Clarence Zeilmann, 76 of Ottawa, passed away 8:05 a.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at Auburndale, Florida. Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 2009 at Epworth United Methodist Church with Rev. Kangse Lee officiating. Entoment of cremains will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery at Elwood, Illinois. Gladfelter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Clarence was born September 17, 1933 at Belleville, Illinois, a son of Clarence Arthur and Florence (Lautz) Zeilmann. On April 25, 1955, he married Jean Vincent, who survives Clarence. Together they had four children and were married 30 years until their divorce in 1985. He then married Lois M. Bulfer Applebee May 15, 1987 at Epworth United Methodist Church in Ottawa. He is survived by his wife, Lois; children, Susan Wilkie of Ottawa, Diane (Jamey) Mertel of Peru, Larry (Deanna) Zeilmann of Kansas City, Missouri, Brian (Cindy) Zeilmann of Ottawa, Pam Sweetwood of Bloomington, and Sandy Mara of Indianapolis; a brother, William (Rose) Zeilmann of Lexington, Kentucky; sisters, Gertrude (Larry) Allen of Ottawa, Sharon (Moe) Huddleston of Marseilles, Carol Zeilmann of Keller, Texas and Judy Zeilmann of Dixon. He also leaves grandchildren, Rich Wilkie, Brandy Oppenlander, Kayla and Derek Zeilmann, Haley and Jaycee Mertel, Matt, Joshua and Noah Zeilmann, Luke, Jenna, Isaac and Griffin Mara; and great-grandchildren, Kianna Zeilmann and Ayden and Ashtyn Oppenlander. His parents preceded Clarence in death. Clarence was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Ottawa and the Indian Lake Methodist Church at Indian Lake, Florida. He served in the U.S. Army as a forward observer during the Korean Conflict. Clarence had been employed as a letter carrier with the Ottawa Post Office for 29 years. He loved all history, especially military history. Clarence enjoyed motorcycles. At age 69, after 40 years of inactivity on a bike, Clarence purchased a Harley. He and Lois rode their Harley for five years and made many new close friends in the Harley Coconut Group. Together they rode with friends through Illinois and Wisconsin, including longer trips to the Dragon's Tail in Tennessee, around Lake Michigan, to Arkansas, Kansas City and Key West, as well as numerous ice cream runs. Clarence and Lois loved traveling. They re-visited Korea, went to Alaska twice and also visited New Zealand and Australia. Branson, Missouri was always a favorite journey to see his favorite singer, Charlie Pride. In 1996, Clarence's dream came true when he found his best friend Keno, a beautiful Siberian Husky now 13 years old. He took great pride in making and giving away his homemade huge turtles to family and friends. Clarence had a deep and abiding love for his family. His family and many friends will dearly miss him. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital.