Elmer Zeller

Elmer Albert Zeller

Oct. 20, 1915 - Feb. 15, 2012

BARTLEY, Nebraska -- Elmer Albert Zeller, age 96, of Bartley died at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Cambridge on Feb. 15, 2012. He was born north of Bartley on Oct. 20, 1915, to August and Mary (Jacob) Zeller. Elmer attended school at District No. 21.

On Jan. 17, 1942, he was united in marriage to Wilma DeMere in Oberlin, Kansas. The couple celebrated their 70th anniversary in January. Elmer joined the Army Air Corp in July 1942. He served in the South Pacific until 1945. Upon returning to Bartley, 
Elmer worked on the family farm. In 1965, he and Wilma purchased the Bartley Lumber Company, which they operated for over 35 years.

Elmer enjoyed fishing, playing the harmonica, and was known to be a good singer in his younger days. He was a life member of the William Wight Post of the American Legion of Bartley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister: Esther Quiantence; five brothers: Fritz, Fredrick, George, Ernest and Edward.

Elmer is survived by his wife: Wilma of Bartley; one daughter: Andrea O'Dea of McCook, Nebraska; three sons: Steve and wife, Judy, of Lincoln; Charles and wife, Sherry, of Bartley; Regan and wife, Mary Jane, of Omaha, Nebraska; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grand children; four great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Helen and husband, Lewis McCreath of Fairmont, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Lockenour-Jones Mortuary with Pastor Sherry Sklenar officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m.Interment will be in the Bartley Cemetery, Bartley, Nebrasla. Military Honors will be held at the cemetery by the William Wight Post of the American Legion of Bartley. Memorial may be left in Elmer's name to the Bartley Rescue Squad. Friend may leave on-line condolences at lockenour.com.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.