Julia M. Zelmer

Passed away December 19, 2011 at the age of 87. Julia Mary Birkner was born January 16, 1924 to the late Ignatius and Anna (Rosa) Birkner. She married Ferdinand Zelmer November 2, 1940. He predeceased her May 24, 2005. Mrs. Zelmer was employed by W.C. Wiechman Department Store for many years. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Hale, Michigan.Surviving are two sons, James (Edna) Zelmer of St. Charles and Ronald (Becky) Zelmer of St. Louis; two daughters, Linda (Earl) Bott of Chesaning and Beverly (Richard) Volker of Merrill; ten grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; two sisters, Annette (Ronald) Gotham of Saginaw and Lillian Schmidt of Saginaw; a sister-in-law Joyce Birkner of Merrill; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son John Frederick Zelmer; her oldest daughter Sharon (Zelmer) Chinivere; daughter-in-law Colleen Zelmer; brother Alexander Birkner; two sisters, Helen Schmidt and Betty Walkowiak; five brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law.Funeral service will take place 11AM Friday December 23, 2011 at the Reitz Herzberg Funeral Home, 1550 S. Midland Road. Pastor Dean Muhle of Hale will officiate with interment to follow at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-8 PM and on Friday one hour before the service. Memorial offerings are suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Hale, or Hospice Advantage. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Julia Zelmer, please visit our Tribute Store.