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The Life of FRANCIS DARRELL ZELIADT

Francis Darrell Zeliadt, of Des Moines, passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at The Village Care Center in Indianola. Francis was born on January 19, 1924 in Warren County, IA. to Ivan and Vivian Zeliadt. He was the fifth of six siblings.

Francis met his wife, Mildred Macy, when they both attended the First Friends Church in Des Moines. They were married on October 29, 1944 and resided on the family farm for two years. They then moved to Des Moines where they lived until 2015.

After high school, Francis farmed with his dad and they operated a Surge Milking Machine dealership. Francis’ other employment included Solar Aircraft and C.E. Erickson. He retired after 25 years as an Appliance Serviceman with Sears Roebuck. After his retirement, Francis worked part-time for Merle Hay Funeral Home and he continued to be self-employed past his 90th birthday in appliance service and as a handyman.

Francis’ hobbies included his classic 1959 Edsel which he took to car shows and parades, where he won many awards. He also loved to help people and he was named “Neighbor of the Week” by the Des Moines Register in 1991 for always helping anyone who needed assistance with any projects.

Those left to remember Francis are his loving wife, Mildred; daughters, Marilyn Bender, Carol (Dave) Geil, Julie Zeliadt and Lorie (Pat) Foley; son, Darrell (Cathie) Zeliadt; sister, Iris Starkey of Riverside, CA.; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Carl, Harold, Lawrence and Raymond; son in-law, James Bender; one great-granddaughter and a great-great grandson.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at Ft. Des Moines United Methodist Church, 6205 SW 9th Street. He will be laid to rest at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family or to Holt International Adoption Agency.

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