By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
4 Comments
  • Visitation

    Friday, December 13, 2024

    from 4:00 to 8:00 pm

    and Saturday, December 14, 2024

    from 9:00 to 11:00 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Saturday, December 14, 2024

    11:00 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Ila “Fae” Zeller, 94, of Highland, IL, died Monday, December 9, 2024, at Anderson Hospital, Maryville, IL, with her family by her side.

    She was born September 27, 1930, in Latham, MO to James and Mildred (Nee Clark) Vaught. On August 19, 1950, she married Melvin Zeller at Salem United Church of Christ, Alhambra, IL.

    Fae was formerly from Granite City, IL. She graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1948, and from SIU Carbondale and Edwardsville with a master’s degree in 1973. She was a member and taught Sunday School for 16 years at Evangelical United Church of Christ, served as a Girl Scout Leader, member of Highland Historical Society, American Legion Auxiliary, Highland Business and Professional Women. The Highland Jaycee’s honored her as their Outstanding Citizen of Highland in 1979, Highland BPW’s Woman of Achievement in 1978, and Boss of the Year in 1981, the Outstanding Working Woman of Illinois Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs 1990 and 1991. Fae served as the only Woman Director at Eagle (Regions) Bank of Highland and a past Director of Fatih Countryside Home and Volunteer at Hitz Memorial Home.

    She worked in Cost Accounting at The Granite City Engineer Depot, was a Cosmetologist and Cosmetologist Teacher, and was a Director and Librarian for 19 years at Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library. She cared about Education, Women’s Rights and kept politically and culturally current.

    She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Mildred Vaught; husband, Melvin Zeller (June 21, 2002); brothers, Glen, Melvin, Robert Imboden; sisters, Mildred Bartels, Irma Rutledge, Marjorie Caringer, Alice Jensen.

    Fae is survived by her son, Tim (Robin) Zeller, Highland, IL; sisters, Lois Ambuel, Highland, IL, Shirley Collmann, Glen Carbon, IL, Peggy (Dennis) Bruggemann, Alhambra, IL, Claire (Mike) Risley, Sarasota, FL; and brother, Phil (Betty) Imboden, Highland, IL.

    Memorials may be made to Latzer Library and Highland Area Christian Service Ministry.

    Visitation: Friday, December 13, 2024, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm and Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Funeral: Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 11:00 am at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Interment: Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery, Alhambra, IL

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

4 Condolences
 
  1. Cindy Higgins / December 11, 2024 at 10:53 am

    Tim, I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a special lady and a great neighbor as we were growing up! I’m sure you and Robin will miss her.

    Cindy

  2. Lori Singleton / December 11, 2024 at 8:00 pm

    I am so sorry to hear this. Her name was synonymous with “the library” as I was growing up and I have nothing but fond memories of both. May her memory be a blessing.

  3. Betty (Ambuel) Lezama / December 12, 2024 at 7:26 am

    Tim I am so sorry for you and your family’s loss. I loved when Fay would come over to my Aunt Lous and Incle Bills house. I always enjoyed talking with her. She was a lovely lady.

  4. Robert Miller / December 13, 2024 at 2:25 pm

    Tim,
    Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Robert Miller, I live in Highland. I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I have known your mom since I was younger from when she worked at the library. She was a sweet lady and a dear friend, I would visit with her when I could at least once a month and I would check to see how she was.

Leave a Condolence or Memory: