Fairbury – James D. Zeller, 78, of Fairbury passed away at 5:13 pm, on Monday, February 23, 2026 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

Funeral services will be 2 pm, Friday, February 27, 2026 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. Burial will follow the service in Westlawn Cemetery, Cullom; with full Military funeral honors by the American Legion and VFW posts, both of Fairbury.

Visitation will be 12 noon to 2 pm on Friday also at the funeral home in Fairbury. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to SELCAS, Fairbury.

Mr. Zeller was born May 6, 1947 in East Chicago, IN; the son of Dale and Verna (Ommen) Zeller. He married Marcia Stull on June 9, 1990 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Cullom. His wife, Marcia survives in Fairbury. His parents preceded him in death.

Other survivors include one daughter, Michelle (Jim) Davis of Fairbury; a very special granddaughter and his favorite, Brooke (Ethan Kasper) Davis of Fairbury; two brothers, Gerald Zeller of Pontiac; Steve Zeller of Apache Junction, AZ; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

James served our country in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968, receiving the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members, the Purple Heart, for his bravery and disabling injuries he received in Vietnam.

Jim had such a warm and kind heart. He never met a stranger. He had an immense love for all wildlife, especially his sweet dogs; Mandy, Rascal, and Cody. He also loved to travel and was able to experience life to the fullest. He will always be a hero to the family. Rest easy, soldier.