Kathleen Zell

Kathleen “Kay” Zell, 94, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, went to be with the Lord Friday, August 19, 2011. She was born in Lewistown, Ohio to the late Louie and Pearl (Johnson) McDonal August 4, 1917. She was also preceded in death by step-sons, Glendall, Elden, Lynn, Gordon and Kerryn Zell; brothers, James, Lee and Elvin McDonal; a sister, Ruth Lawson and one granddaughter.

Kay graduated from Middleburg High School in 1936. She had been employed at R & M and later at Crowell of Springfield. She was a manager of the Greystone Restaurant in West Liberty, Ohio and later worked at the Bellefontaine Country Club.

She was previously married to the late James E. Riley Sr. On March 2, 1944, she married Lewis J. Kreakbaum who passed away in September of 1967. She then married LaVern Zell December 4, 1970, and he preceded her in death August 5, 1993.

Surviving are three sons; James (Annie) Riley of Bluehill, Maine, Richard R. (Maxine) Riley of Bellefontaine, and John (Rita) Kreakbaum, Dalton, Georgia; two daughters; Connie Adams of Griffith, Arkansas, and Peggy (Charles) Miller of Bellefontaine; step-sons, Merlyn (Pat) Zell of Bellefontaine; step-daughter, Goldene Tennant of Crescent City, Florida; sixteen grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church, Fidelis Circle of Kings Daughters, Mary Rutan Hospital Guild, Women’s Circle and Joy Loyalty of Lutheran Church, and was Past Worthy Matron of Sarah Elizabeth Chapter #535 Eastern Star.

Pastor Jonathan Bull will officiate the funeral service Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 11 A.M. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, where calling hours are Monday, August 22, 2011, from 2 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M. Interment will be in the Zanesfield Cemetery in Zanesfield, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children 3229 Burnet Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45229 or the First Lutheran Church 208 W. Sandusky AVe. Bellefontaine, OH 43311