Cheryl E. Zills

Cheryl “Cheri” E. Zills, age 77, of Ripon, WI, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, WI.

Cheri was born on February 14, 1949 in Ladysmith, WI, the oldest of 12 children, to Richard and Darlene (Hunter) Finley. Cheri lived a full life. She spent numerous years camping at Crooked River Campground and gained many friendships there. She especially enjoyed when her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids came there to visit and spend the weekend with her. She also liked to watch her grandkids play sports. Cheri and her sisters went on annual sister trips and also enjoyed trips to Turtle Lake to meet up with their cousins. She spent a lot of time with her dear friend, Carolyn Miller, going on simple road trips or finding entertainment watching old time music concerts like Twitty and Lynn, and seeing impersonators like Elvis. In her spare time she would usually be absorbed in a good murder mystery book or doing crossword puzzles.

Cheri is survived by her children, Korie Ellis of Ripon, WI, Lacey (Scott) Beduhn of Menasha, WI, and Duane (Jessica) Zills, Jr. of Ripon, WI; grandchildren, Shanda, Kayla and Isaiah Ellis, Briana Bacon, Peyton Behuhn, and Haleigh Zills; great-grandchildren, Olivia Beduhn, Iliana Ellis, Lucy Gayler, Edward Watson, Marley D’Addezio, and Gracelyn Ellis; five sisters; five brothers; and numerous nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Darlene and Richard Finley; a sister, Vicki Finley; and nieces, Ronelle and Tiffany Eichstedt.

A Celebration of Life for Cheri will be held at a date, time and place to be determined.