Carol Jean Zilhaver, age 86, of Cambridge Springs passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at St. Vincent Hospital after an extended illness. Carol was born in Erie on January 26, 1940, daughter of the late Alfred Daniel Illig and Charlotte Louise Trimm Illig. She graduated from Cambridge Springs High School with the class of 1957. On August 17, 1959, she married Elmer “Zeke” Zilhaver. Carol drove a school bus for Penncrest School District for over 49 years, retiring in December 2018. Concurrently, she and her husband, Zeke, operated the family dairy farm. She was a 4-H leader for over 20 years and enjoyed cooking, canning and baking.Carol was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Elmer Zilhaver, in 2009; also infant son, Kelly Scott; son-in-law, Paul Doubet; brother, Butch Illig; sister, Patricia Illig Stafford; brothers-in-law, Ed Stafford, Carl Zimmer, Park Zilhaver and his wife, Marjorie, and Homer Zilhaver.
Survivors include daughter, Monique Zilhaver Doubet of Cambridge Springs; daughter, Melinda Zilhaver Garner and her husband, Louis, of Ridgeway, PA; daughter, Chantelle Zilhaver of Cambridge Springs; granddaughter, Lyndsey Garner Weidow and her husband, Jeff, of St. Mary’s, PA; grandson, Rustin Garner of Ridgeway, PA; granddaughter, Bobbi Doubet of Cambridge Springs; sister, Susie Illig Zimmer of Edinboro; sister-in-law, Nancy Illig of Edinboro; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at Van Matre Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Friday, September 11, from 10 am to 12 noon. Interment will follow at Miller Station Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Cambridge Springs Public Library.
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Kellie Kunz says
September 10, 2026 at 10:45 amI’m so sorry for your loss. I don’t have a fair time memory of my 4-H years without Carol in it. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Nancy Burdick, Debbie and Dennis Ransom says
September 10, 2026 at 2:38 pmTo The Zilhaver family,
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
May God wrap you in His loving arms and give you the comfort and support that you all need at this time.
Tina Deeter says
September 10, 2026 at 6:56 pmSo sorry about your Mom. She was the nicest lady! !❤️
Lori Freeman says
September 13, 2026 at 2:27 pmSo sorry for your loss. Carol was a hard working , compassionate, stubborn at times, loving , caring
Woman. May god guide all of you through the grief to happy memories
Daniel Thomas says
September 14, 2026 at 5:28 pmMy condolences to the family. May she rest in peace.