Ethel Cellers

Ethel Lorraine Cellers (Castle) passed away at 101 years of age on October 6, 2025, at her home of 63 years in Iola, Kansas.

Ethel was born to Albert Wire and Elizabeth Ethel Castle (Kiggins) at their dairy farm in Burlington, Kansas, on March 2, 1924. She was one of eight children.

Ethel attended a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from the 8th grade. At age 15, she went to work cleaning and cooking for the elderly neighbors who needed help.

The family sold their farm soon after that and moved to Hall Summit, where she met the love of her life, Thomas Eugene Cellers, Sr. They were married on November 14, 1942, in Burlington, Kansas. The next year Thomas left to fight in WWII and would be gone from their home for three years. They were blessed with three children, Sharyl Lou, Thomas Eugene Cellers, Jr., and Randy Lynn.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thomas Sr.; her sons, Randy and Thomas Jr.; her siblings, Dalbert Castle, Viola Bartlett, Vernon Castle, Leslie Castle, Fannie Eaton, Hazel Klotz, and Lawrence Castle.

Ethel is survived by her daughter, Sharyl Lou Zajic Cellers-Zajic, Iola, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Diane Cellers Bodeman, Hot springs, Arkansas; grandchildren, Nicole Hines (Shawn), Iola, Kansas, Scott Cellers (Tonya), Jackson Cellers, Gretchen Cellers (Ben Milholen) all of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Stephanie Cellers-Hall (Grant), Little Rock, Arkansas; great-grandchildren, Weston Hines (Amber), Wyatt Hines (Brittany), Cole Hines, Apolline Cellers, Milou Cellers, Everett Cellers, Ellie Cellers, Beckett Cellers, baby girl arriving late October; great-great-grandchildren, Griffin Hines, Graham Hines, Truitt Hines, and Rhett Hines.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025, in The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. A graveside service and burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, in Graceland Cemetery, Burlington, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to St. Luke's Hospice - South Branch, and may be left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas 66749

Condolences for the family may be left at www.feurbornfuneral.com