1934
Ernest
2017
Ernest “Ernie” Zeller
March 13, 1934 — November 10, 2017
Ernest "Ernie" Zeller , 83, passed away, unexpectedly, November 10, 2017 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his family.
Ernie was born in Germany on March 13, 1934, to Johann and Martha Zeller. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Quido Zeller, his sister, Hilma Michael and his brother in law, Werner Branch.
On March 8, 1958, Ernie married the love of his life, Gerda Ruth Ast. They were nearing their 60th year of marriage. His wife survives. Ernie and Gerda were blessed with two sons, Richard (Deborah) Zeller and Steven (Gina) Zeller, both of Granger, IN. Also left to cherish his memory are two grandchildren, Madeline and Riley Zeller, one sister, Lora (Gerry) McLain of New Berlin WI; two brothers, Wally Zeller of Milwaukee, WI and Kurt Zeller of Phoenix, AZ; one brother in law, Gunther (Cathy) Asterlin of South Bend, IN and numerous, beloved nieces and nephews.
Ernie came to America as a refugee in 1951, at the age of 19. His family's passage to America was sponsored by a land owner in Westin, WV who ran a farm and sawmill. Ernie lived there for nearly two years with his parents and five siblings and he and his father worked to repay that sponsorship. He also worked at a glass factory at the time, blowing glass. Both Ernie's family and his father's sister's family, who had been sponsored nearby, pooled their earnings together to buy a car, which they shared. Eventually, Ernie and his father took that car north, in search of a better life for both families. They moved to Milwaukee, WI and Ernie became a Journeyman tool and die maker. This was the beginning of his more than sixty years of work in manufacturing.
After that training, Mr. Zeller joined the United States Army. He was very proud to serve America, which he frequently referred to as the "Greatest country in the world". After his time in the service, Ernie moved to Indiana to take a position as the plant manager for Eberhard Steel Products. In his true, multi-talented form, he also took care of Mr. Eberhard's farm, when necessary.
Ernie was born in Germany on March 13, 1934, to Johann and Martha Zeller. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Quido Zeller, his sister, Hilma Michael and his brother in law, Werner Branch.
On March 8, 1958, Ernie married the love of his life, Gerda Ruth Ast. They were nearing their 60th year of marriage. His wife survives. Ernie and Gerda were blessed with two sons, Richard (Deborah) Zeller and Steven (Gina) Zeller, both of Granger, IN. Also left to cherish his memory are two grandchildren, Madeline and Riley Zeller, one sister, Lora (Gerry) McLain of New Berlin WI; two brothers, Wally Zeller of Milwaukee, WI and Kurt Zeller of Phoenix, AZ; one brother in law, Gunther (Cathy) Asterlin of South Bend, IN and numerous, beloved nieces and nephews.
Ernie came to America as a refugee in 1951, at the age of 19. His family's passage to America was sponsored by a land owner in Westin, WV who ran a farm and sawmill. Ernie lived there for nearly two years with his parents and five siblings and he and his father worked to repay that sponsorship. He also worked at a glass factory at the time, blowing glass. Both Ernie's family and his father's sister's family, who had been sponsored nearby, pooled their earnings together to buy a car, which they shared. Eventually, Ernie and his father took that car north, in search of a better life for both families. They moved to Milwaukee, WI and Ernie became a Journeyman tool and die maker. This was the beginning of his more than sixty years of work in manufacturing.
After that training, Mr. Zeller joined the United States Army. He was very proud to serve America, which he frequently referred to as the "Greatest country in the world". After his time in the service, Ernie moved to Indiana to take a position as the plant manager for Eberhard Steel Products. In his true, multi-talented form, he also took care of Mr. Eberhard's farm, when necessary.
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