James Paul Eller

Jim or “Paul” as his siblings called him was a man who loved his wife and family, was kind to whomever he met and followed his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025 in his home in Edgewater, Florida.

He was born in Fannin County, GA to Norman Esco Eller and Clara Bryan Eller (Tarpley). He lived there until soon after he graduated from Fannin County High School, when Jim moved to Northeast Ohio to find work. He met the love of his life and married Zelda Mae Thomas on June 23, 1956. They bought their first home in Barberton, OH and attended Covenant Baptist Church in Barberton, where Jim served as a Trustee. Jim worked at PPG then worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber company as a pipe-coverer. He worked to make the environment safe by removing asbestos and insulating pipes and boilers, etc. Jim and Zelda raised their two sons, Daniel and David in Barberton. When the boys were in middle school, they all began attending the Akron Baptist Temple in Akron, Ohio. When Jim retired in 1996, he and Zelda moved to Edgewater, Florida to a home close to the ocean where their family could visit and spend many hours playing at the beach. Jim was an avid reader of his Bible and so many books of all genres. He walked and biked in his neighborhood or on the beach nearly every day, until his difficulty breathing prevented him from continuing. He loved his boys, their wives, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. He cared and prayed for all of them, and they are all blessed because of him.

He was preceded in death by his parents Norman Esco Eller and Clara Bryan Eller (Tarpley), his siblings Verlie Lionel Eller, Elmo Eller, Kent Tarpley Eller, Bonnie Rene Bates, and Clara Jean Davis.

He is survived by his precious wife of 68 years, Zelda, his sons Daniel (Brenda) Eller and David (Dawn) Eller. He treasured his time with his much-loved grandchildren; Brady (Britney) Eller, Tenille Phillips-Wetzler, Seth (Becky) Eller, Rachel (Chase) Carroll, Alexis Eller and Rebekah Eller, and his great-grandchildren; Lily Phillips, Brooklyn Eller, Linnea Wetzler, Brienna Eller, Charlie Ann Carroll, Piper Eller, Zion Eller, Elliot Carroll, Elah Eller, Bryce Eller, and 2 babies on the way.

The family will receive family and friends at Settle-Wilder Funeral Home, 406 S Orange St., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 2 PM. Funeral service to follow at 3PM. Burial will be witnessed by family at Sea Pines Memorial Gardens, 3001 S. Ridgewood Ave, Edgewater, FL 32141 on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 9:30 AM.

Flowers can be received at the Settle-Wilder Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Salvation Army would be appreciated. https://give.salvationarmyusa.org

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