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Zelia Cleta O’Neal Sims, eldest child of Ollie Thomas O’Neal and Gertie Mae Henry O’Neal was born November 16, 1912 at Shannon City, Iowa and passed away December 18, 2004 at the Jefferson Manor, Jefferson, Iowa. She was 92 years of age. Zelia graduated from the Grand Junction High School in 1931. On August 18, 1931, Zelia was married to Elmer Raymond Sims at Boone, Iowa. To this union, eight children were born: Raymond, Shirley, Betty, Darlyne, Donald, Faye, Richard, and Vicki. Zelia lived all her married life in and around Grand Junction. She was a homemaker, and did custodial work at East Greene School at Rippey and at Parker Industries in Jefferson. She also worked in the kitchen at Larry’s Café in Grand Junction. Her interests included reading, playing cards, crocheting and quilting. Zelia was a member of the Presbyterian Church. She served in several offices of the United Presbyterian Women’s organization, and served as a deacon in the church. She was a member of the Jolly Quilters and the Stitch and Chatter Club. On September 15, 1999, Zelia became a resident of Long Term Care at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson. She moved to the Jefferson Manor in April 2002. Zelia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer; a son, Donald; a daughter, Darlyne Palumbo; one grandchild; one great-grandchild; and 1 brother, Eldon O’Neal. Her brother, John O’Neal, died Tuesday December 20, 2004. Survivors include six children: Raymond (Marjorie) Sims of Jefferson, IA; Shirley Clark of Jefferson, IA; Betty (Curtis) Dixon of Stafford, VA; Faye Clemens of Beaverton, Oregon; Richard Sims of Boone, IA; and Vicki Dillavou of Kanawha, IA; 18 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 3 step-great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Nellie Fisher of Kenosha, WI; other relatives and friends.
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