Ercell Mintern

Ercell Vivian Mintern, (nee Bishop), of Zion, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, March 14, 2008. She was born in September of 1912 in Michigan and adopted into the family of the late Ida and Charles Bishop. In 1935 Ercell married Ernest W. Mintern, who preceded her in death on March 8, 1980. For many years they owned and operated Ernie's Meat Market in Zion, where they carried on the tradition of making Zion beef products. She was a lifetime member of Christ Community Church (formerly Christian Catholic Church), where she sang in the Jr. Choir and the Zion White Robed Choir. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed working with her vegetables and flowers well into the 80's. She always loved dogs and had many throughout her life. Ercell was also preceded in death by a step-brother, Claude (Hazel) Bishop; two step-sisters, Allie (Arthur) Winslow and Miriam (Chuck) Komers; and her grandson, Michael S. "Mickey' Mintern. She is survived by her children, Michael E. (Shirley) Mintern of Zion, Pat M. (Duke) Lee of Gills Rock, WI, and Jane E. (Bob) Neave of Zion; grandchildren, Wendy (Andy) Grom of Winthrop Harbor, Todd Mintern and Wanda Rottmann, both of Zion, Daniel Lee of the Czech Republic, Laura (Tony) Ferrara of Minneapolis, and Andrew Neave of Zion; granddaughter-in-law, Sally Mintern of Zion; great-grandchildren, Nicole and Becca Mintern of Zion, Brandon Grom of Winthrop Harbor, Alan and Stephen Mintern of Zion, Michael and Mallory Rottmann of Winthrop Harbor, and Vincent Ferrara of Minneapolis; and a great-great-grandchild, Morgan Mintern of Zion, Also, a special sister-in-law, Rachel (Mintern) LaBelle; and two special nieces, Inez (Bishop) Larson and Esther (Bishop) Poulsen, all of Zion; as well as many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Monday, March 24, 2008, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Dr., Zion, with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Ken Langley officiating. Entombment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to Camp Zion, a ministry of Christ Community Church.