Francis J. Zeller, age 92, of the town of Vinland died Monday August 7, 2017, at his home. He was born December 28, 1924, on the family farm in the town of Clayton to Francis and Flora (Haber) Zeller. He attended Mikesville School and graduated from Neenah High School in 1942. In February 1946 Francis married Shirley Slattery in Appleton and together they purchased the family farm next door in 1947.
Francis worked for Kimberly-Clark for several years while also operating the farm. He became a full-time farmer in 1955.
In 1961, Francis was part of an agricultural tour of the Soviet Union and Eastern Block Communist countries. While on the tour, he was in Berlin when the Berlin Wall was built.
In 1975, Francis went into the farm partnership with his son Jack. Together they applied agricultural pesticides on neighboring farms as a sideline, which became almost full-time springs and summers.
Francis was an FmHA committee member for 6 years in the early 60s and was a 4-H leader for 17 years. He served on the Badger Breeders Board until 1965 when he sold his herd of cattle due to health concerns. Francis served as a director of the Vinland Town Mutual Insurance Co. and the Farmers State Bank Board including Bank One of Neenah for over 20 years. He also served as a director on the Larsen Cooperative Board for 24 years and served as its President for 14 years.
He enjoyed playing Sheepshead, snowmobiling, motorcycling, camping, working (playing) with his computer and his stereo, dancing, 4-wheeling, telling jokes, and above all farming. Francis was still hauling and unloading wagons on the farm until he was 90 years of age.
Dad taught us the value of life and hard work and will be missed by so many, including his very special friend Evelyn Hug who he loved and cherished dearly.
Francis is survived by his three sons, Jim (Louise), Jack (Terry), and Dan (Kathy); grandchildren, Jacki Zeller (Jeff Yahn), Tim (Tracy) Meyer, Diana (Jon) Hintz, Laura Zeller, Corey (Kimberley) Zeller, and Kim (Joel) Vernon. He is further survived by many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Along with his parents, Francis was also preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Shirley Zeller, who died on May 8, 2005.
A visitation for family and friends will be on Thursday, August 10, 2017, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Gabriel Catholic Church 900 Geiger St. Neenah. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the church with Fr. Richard Allen officiating. Burial will be in St. Margaret Mary Cemetery, Neenah.
Francis' family wishes to thank the staffs of Home Instead Senior Care and ThedaCare at Home for the care and concern given to him.
If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.