John Joseph Zoeller Obituary (1928 - 2017)

John Joseph Zoeller, 88, of Normal, formerly of McLean, died at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Heritage Health in Normal, after one year of combating cancer.His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Bloomington, with Rev. Brian Goke officiating and Rev. Christine McNeal assisting. Committal services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Funks Grove Cemetery, McLean. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington and additional visitation will be held from 10a.m.-11a.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church in Bloomington, the Sugar Grove Nature Center in McLean or a charity of the donors choice.To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.John was born September 24, 1928 in Bloomington, son of Harry T. and Lena M. Swearingen Zoeller. He graduated from McLean High School. He married Harriet D. Koenig on August 1, 1953 in Chicago. They had been married 63 years. Harriet survives along with their two children, a son, Keith (Cindy) Zoeller of Sterling; a daughter, Anita Zoeller of Danville; two grandchildren, Tammy Zoeller and Tyler (Chelsea) Zoeller and one great-grandson, Carson.Preceding John in death were his parents and his twin brother, William H. Zoeller.John farmed, both grain and livestock, at Funks Grove for 46 years. He loved his land and the Funks Grove area with all the bountiful nature surrounding him. He retired in 1993.John was an active member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Bloomington, where he served as an usher and did many volunteer jobs.He helped his community by being a volunteer fireman for the Funks Grove- Mt. Hope Township Fire Department for over 40 years and he served as deputy coroner and volunteer for McLean County. He also was past president of the McLean Civic Club several times.John had special love for his children and his grandchildren. He instilled into his children the work ethic of how to live an honest life and to get along quietly, as he did. He will be fondly remembered for his generosity to his family and friends and always being there to help someone in need.