Ella Christina Segelken, nee Zeller, age 86, of Troy, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2004, at Maryville Manor Nursing Home in Maryville, Illinois. She was born September 4, 1917, in New Douglas, Illinois, to Robert and Julia, nee Holzgang, Zeller. She married Ahrendt Segelken on March 9, 1937. She has been a resident of Troy since 1952. She was a cook at St. Paul's Lutheran School, a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Troy, Ladies Aid at the church, TOPS, and Madison County Home Extension. She enjoyed crafts and sewing and was a talented seamstress.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ahrendt Segelken, who died November 24, 1978. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and one son, Richard, who died in 1999; a brother, Lester Zeller and two sisters, Roberta Coon and Catherine Lindgen.

She is survived by one son, Lawrence (Karen) Segelken of Troy; a brother, Leroy Zeller of Highland, IL; three grandchildren, Sharon (Iver) Tranes of McColl, South Carolina, Lora (Darrell) Peterson of Savage, Minnesota, and Ross Segelken of Portland Oregon; two step-grandchildren, Leonard "Lenny" (Bobby) Ersery of Maryville, Illinois, and Kristina (Brian) Johnson of Clinton, Illinois; and seven great grandchildren, Kyle, Alec, Emma, Carter, David, Emily, and Grace.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran School, 112 North Border St., Troy, Illinois 62294.

Visitation: Friends may call from 9:00 - 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 24, 2004 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Troy, Illinois.

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 24, 2004 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Troy, Illinois, with Pastor James Zimmerman officiating.

Interment: Friedens Cemetery, Troy, Illinois