Lois A. Zilhaver, age 84, a lifelong resident of Cambridge Springs, PA died peacefully on Thursday, September 23, 2010 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Jeff Sayers, Waterford, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Erie, PA, Lois was a daughter of the late H. LeRoy Stafford and Laura Brask Bunting. On November 21, 1945 she married Ray M. Zilhaver who died on April 7, 2008.
Lois graduated from Cambridge Springs High School in 1944 and after her marriage in 1945, she and her husband, Ray, owned and operated a dairy farm in Cambridge Springs. Over the years she was employed as a school bus driver, a cafeteria worker, and eventually retired from the General Telephone Company. After selling the farm in 1977, she and her husband enjoyed many winters in Florida. Lois enjoyed her family and took special notice of their needs, providing the highest quality of one-to-one attention that was unique for each person. She enjoyed traveling, golf, and embroidery. She was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Luther Church in Drakes Mills.
In addition to her parents and husband, Lois was preceded in death by an infant son- Dale, and a grandson – Jeremy Atkin. Surviving family members include daughters – Sandra Mook of Cambridge Springs and her friend, Doug Bensink of Clymer, NY; Linda Sayers and her husband, Jeffry of Waterford; and Valerie Atkin and her husband, Dennis of Cambridge Springs; sons – Jeffry Zilhaver of Meadville and Keith Zilhaver and his wife, Judy of Cambridge Springs; a sister-in-law, Ida May Right of Cambridge Springs. Her grandchildren include Jay Mook and his wife, Roseann, Brian Zilhaver and his wife, Heather, Shane Machacek and his fianc???e, Wendy Rotkovecz, Scott Zilhaver and his wife, Stephanie, Carmen McElfresh and her husband, Ehren, Kina Atkin, and Logan Atkin; great grandchildren – J.D., Caylee, Raven, Kenny, McKayla, George, Zack, J.T., Isaac, Sydney, Sophia, Shannon, and Rylin.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral services will be held there Monday morning at 11:00 with Vicar Brian Riddle of St. Paul’s Evangelical Church of Drakes Mills officiating. Private interment will be held in Mitchell Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Jeremy Atkin Memorial Scholarship Fund % Edinboro University Development Office, Edinboro, PA 16422; Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335; or to St. Paul’s Evangelical Church, 25812 Mt. Pleasant Road, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403.
Dear Tink,Keith and family,
I am so sorry to read of you mother’s passing. I sure do remember her driving the bus all those years. May I extend my deepest smypathy and know that I will be remembering you all in prayer through this time.
Her great-grand children called her “GRANDY” and that she was, a grand woman! The unselfish matriarch of the Zilhaver family! She taught me unconditional love of family. I am blessed to have been a member of her family. You will be missed Gram. Your soul lives on through your family. Your infectious smile and giddy laugh will remain with me always. Rest in peace and give Gramps a hug for me.
Sandy, Aunt Linny, Uncle Keith, Uncle Jeff, and Aunt Tink, my Bud and my Tilly, my love and condolences to you all
Dearest Linda & Family,
Please accept my sincere expression of sympathy in the loss of your beloved Mother & Grandmother.
Lois holds a very special place in my heart. I will never forget her love and the generosity she shared with me in my youth. She was my first Earth Angel and my inspiration to always try and be the best person you could be. I always thought she was amazing!
I will always remember her.
Blessings to you all, terri b.
So saddened to hear of your Mom’s passing. How comforting to be with her at that time. Thinking of you.
Dear Sandie, Linda, Keith, Jeff, and Valerie,
My sympathy to all of you on the loss of Mama Lou. Se was a wonderful, giving person and made everyone around her feel happy. You are blessed to have had such a loving person for a mother. My thoughts and love to all of you, ~ Missi
Jeff, I was sorry to see that you had lost your mom. Please know that you are in my thoughts as you have been many times over the years. With deepest sympathies…Angie