Wilma C. Zeilinger

Mrs. Zeilinger passed away Monday, September 25, 2017 at her residence with her family by her side. Age 85 years. Wilma was born in Bay City on July 18, 1932 to the late Benjamin and Elenaora (Hoerauf) Appold. Wilma was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Frankenlust and worked as a cook at the school for many years. Wilma loved her family and enjoyed crocheting and cooking. On September 1, 1951 Wilma married Ernest J. Zeilinger Jr.; he preceded her in death on September 20, 2013. Wilma is survived by her six children, Arthur (Jamie) Zeilinger, Richard (Mary) Zeilinger, Ben Zeilinger, Steven Zeilinger, Joanne Dodson and Joyce Hamel (John Gillis); eight grandchildren, Jessica Zeilinger (Dan Tenbusch), Stephanie (Mario) Guerrero, Denise (Nick) Ruegsegger, Jennifer (David) Zirkle, Matt (Ashley) Zeilinger, Kelly Hamel (Ben Brookhouse), Chelsea Dodson and Levi Dodson; five great-grandchildren, Ali, Andrew and Hanna Zeilinger, Victoria Herrera and Jaxson Menke; brothers, Robert and Floyd (Julia) Appold; brother-in-law, Ferdinand Zeilinger; sisters-in-law, Marilyn and Mary Lou Appold. In addition to her parents and husband she was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, James Dodson; brothers, Edwin (Malinda), Ralph, Loren and Harold Appold; sisters and brothers-in-law, Matilda (Gerhardt) Zeilinger, Selma (Christ) Helmreich and Edna (Lloyd) Wicker; sisters-in-law, Carol and Alice Appold and Arlene Zeilinger. Funeral services will take place Friday, September 29, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Frankenlust. Officiating will be Pastor Dennis W. Matyas with interment following in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Thursday from 2:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. Mrs. Zeilinger will be taken to the church on Friday to lie in state from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Those desiring an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial contribution to the St. Paul Lutheran Church memorial fund or McLaren Hospice. For online condolences www.GephartFuneralHome.com