SELLERS, Lillian

SETTLES, PETERS, FOOR

Posted By: Wagner (email)
Date: 6/22/2013 at 13:35:43

Lillian Sellers – Morning Sun News-Herald, Thursday, January 17, 2013 accompanied by a photo.

Lillian Sellers went to her heavenly home on Saturday, January 12, 2013, after living a full and satisfying life.

She is survived by her children Ann, Aletha and Alfred, 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, a son Adolph, her sister Rose Kerr and a brother Hal Peters.

Lillian was born to James Frank Peters and Virgie Ellen Foor on September 25, 1915, in Upper New York State on an apple orchard near Seneca and the Finger Lakes. She was the youngest of seven children, three of whom survived into adulthood.

She moved to Wapello at a young age. Lillian attended Wapello High School where she met her friend, Mary Pauline. They remained friends for more than 70 years. She also worked part-time at the local grocery store and had an exciting adventure of a bi-plane ride the day after graduation.

From high school she went to work at the Louisa County Court House, working with the auditor Fred Ketchum.

Lillian married the love of her life Charles “Chuck” Howard Sellers in 1934 and they enjoyed 66 years together. Their union was blessed with four children carefully planned five years apart – two boys, two girls, two blonds, two red heads; all with names beginning with the letter “A”.

Charles and Lillian shared a lifelong passion for horse breeding and racing. Many happy hours were sent following the race circuit in the Winnebago. Her life in Morning Sun was filled with children’s activities at church, scouts, 4-H and sports. The family hosted a foreign exchange student from Germany, Wolfram Muerer, and ongoing relationship that included visiting him and his family in Germany.

In addition to her family responsibilities, Lillian was the last manual telephone switchboard operator in Morning Sun, worked in the Morning Sun Post Office for 25 years, owned by a local gas station and the Sunny Side Café.

Lillian was an avid reader and a member of many organizations and clubs: Louisa County Historical Society, United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Sorosis Professional Women’s Club, Lionesses, Oakland Social Club, Home Club, Couples Bridge, Women’s Bridge, Club Scout Leader, 4-H leader, Neighborhood Club, and served in leadership roles for these groups.

Lillian also loved to travel and was able to do so all over the continental US as well as Alaska and Hawaii, as well as the Caribbean, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and South Korea.

In 2005 she received the honor of the Morning Sun Citizen of the Year. For her 95th Birthday party, more than 200 members of the community she loved and family members from all over the country came together to celebrate at the then new Morning Sun Community Building. Throughout her life, Lillian served her family and community with her time, her energy and her talents in many and all ways she possibly could. She was never too busy to help a friend. Her favorite saying was “If it is to be, it is up to me!” She will always be loved and missed. Because of her life, love and lessons, she leaves us a better world but also a large gap in many lives.

Cremation was accorded and there was no visitation. The memorial service for Lillian was Monday, January 14, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. from the United Sun Centenary United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sue-Ellen Sherman officiating.

In lieu of flowers a memorial was established for the Morning Sun Centenary United Methodist Church.

Hagele and Honts Funeral Home in Morning Sun was in charge of arrangements.

I am not related to the deceased and have no further information.