Zella M. "Sally" McIntyre Steele Ahlers

Zella M. "Sally" McIntyre Steele Ahlers, 92, of Monmouth, passed away at 10:25 a.m., Thursday, January 15, 2015 at the Monmouth Nursing Home. She was born on October 5, 1922 in rural Little York, IL, and is the daughter of Robert H. and Nina Fell McIntyre. She graduated from Broadview Academy in Hinsdale, IL in 1940. Zella married Paul E. Steele in rural Seaton, IL on September 25, 1944; he preceded her in death on May 1, 1988. She later married Dave Ahlers on March 31, 1991 in Aledo, IL; he preceded her in death in June of 2007. She worked for a short time as a school teacher in a two room school in Brownsburg, IN. Zella was a homemaker and raising her family was her pride and joy. She was a caretaker for many people. Zella was a member of the Parkview Seventh Days Adventist Church in Galesburg. She taught in the Children's Department, Community Service Department, and held the Greeters Office and was a Deaconess. She enjoyed gardening, canning, reading, and her faith was a very important part of her life. Zella is survived by her children; Joyce (Sam) Zacharias of Arcadia, IN., Meredith (Beverly) Steele of Benton Harbor, MI, Donovan Steele of Danville, IN, Jill (Terry) Leary of Little York, IL, and Bonnie Steele of Berrien Springs, MI. Her grandchildren; David Zacharias, Diane (Tim) Reynolds, Ryan (Christen) Steele, Michelle McGuire, Derrick (Tiffany) Leary, Aaron (Sara) Leary, Kellsy (Chad) Scott, Libby Partlo, Eden Kittleson, Kai (Kristi) Steele, and Brit Steele. Also surviving are seventeen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, five brothers, one grandson, one great grandson, one nephew and one niece. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 19, 2015 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth. Interment will be in Cedar Creek Cemetery. Her family will be present from 9:00 a.m. till the time of the service at 10:30 a.m., at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the Monmouth Nursing Home.