Natalie Jean Zellers

NATALIE JEAN ZELLERS, 38, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014. She was born on April 2, 1976, in Eau Claire, Wis. Natalie graduated from New Haven High School and Indiana University with a Bachelor Degree in Education. She was a 2nd grade teacher with F.W.C.S at Washington Center Elementary School and prior to that taught at Maplewood Elementary. She regularly attended Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church for over 12 years. On July 14, 2001, she married the love of her life, Brett, and had just recently celebrated 13 years of marriage. Natalie lived a very active lifestyle and deeply cared about nutrition. She enjoyed outdoor activities such as hiking, traveling, and spending time at the beach. She was also fond of reading romance novels while she sunbathed. "Natalie was full of life and always put forth her best effort in everything she did. She was great at giving advice, problem solving, and mentoring / teaching her students, family and friends; one could appreciate her honesty and goodwill." She is survived by her loving husband, Brett William Zellers of Fort Wayne; father, Richard A. (Kathy) Birtzer of Trego, Wis.; brother, Jason (Heather Busetto) Birtzer of Strum, Wis.; sisters and best friends, Shanna Marie Birtzer of Fort Wayne and Annique Birtzer of Garrett, Ind.; grandmothers, Etta Birtzer of Eleva, Wis. and Marian Wolf of Fort Wayne; three nieces; five nephews; father and mother-in-law, Jack (Cheryl) Zellers of New Haven, Ind.; brother-in-law, Ryan (Angela) Zellers of Fort Wayne; sister-in-law, Alissa (Chris) Till of Fort Wayne; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Priscilla Ann (Kewin) Birtzer. Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, 7215 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. Rev. Father Mark Gurtner Officiating. Calling also from 2 to 4 and 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne, with a Vigil service at 8 p.m. Burial in Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne. Memorial donations may be given to ACRES, 1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748. For online condolences, please visit www.hockemeyermillerfh.com