Ottilia Zillhardt Eycleshimer

Ottilia Zillhardt Eycleshimer, 112

Troy-Ottilia Zillhardt Eycleshimer, 112, formerly of Hoosick Road in Center Brunswick died Monday, May 22, 2006 at Heritage House Nursing Center in Troy. At 112, Ottie celebrated many birthdays with press cameras shooting photos of her longevity.

Born in Troy, NY, she was the daughter of the late Jacob Zillhardt and Ottilia (Pentek) Zillhardt and wife of the late Ralph Eycleshimer, who waspioneer founder and first president of Troy Senior Citizens Center on Third Street in Troy.

She had resided in Troy area all her life and was a graduate of Troy High School and Troy Business College. She served as a private secretary and assistant to Miss Grace Allison, R.N., Superintendent of Samaritan Hospital and secretary to the Rensselaer County Medical Society for many years. She was active in civic affairs and an 82 year member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Troy and its second longest term member. She belonged to Presbyterian Women and other church groups. Mrs. Eycleshimer was a working member in the U.S.O. Center which was stationed at the Troy Union Railroad Station during World War II, where lunch was served and sleeping accommodations were available for the many troop trains that passed through Troy. She is a life member of the Babcock Lake Association, where she spent her summers, also a member of the Center Brunswick Farm Bureau. She later helped her husband in his carpentry business, refinishing and constructing furniture for many years.

She is survived by a niece, Janet Z. Asphaug of Norway; a nephew, John J. Zillhardt of Andover, MN; her grandchildren, Joy Ann Plummer of Eagle Creek, OR, Laurie Ann Sicko-Szoke of West Grove, PA, Stephanie O'Neil of Buzzard's Bay, MA. and John R. Sicko Jr.; her 6 great grandchildren and her longtime friend, Betty Nolan Turner. She was predeceased by her dear daughters, Laura Marie Eycleshimer Sicko and Carolyn Eycleshimer Larom; two sisters, Elise L. and Wilhelmina Zillhardt and a brother, Jacob C. Zillhardt.

Funeral service will be held Friday at 11:00 AM at the First United Presbyterian Church 1915 Fifth Avenue Troy with Rev. Alexandra Lusak, Pastor, officiating. Relatives and friends may call at the CHURCH Friday from 10-11 AM prior to the service. Interment Eagle Mills Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Eycleshimer to the First United Presbyterian Church of Troy 1915 Fifth Avenue Troy, NY 12180 or the Center Brunswick United Methodist Church 990 Hoosick Road Troy, NY 12180.

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