Elaine Ella Zeches

Elaine Ella Zeches, cherished daughter of Harold Zeches and Gladys VanAllen Zeches, was born on February 14, 1932, in Warsaw, New York. Her early years were spent in a one-room schoolhouse located across the road from her home. When the school closed, she continued her education at Wyoming Central School in nearby Wyoming, New York, graduating in 1949.

Elaine began her career working in the office of the Warsaw Elevator Company. After a couple of years, she moved to Rochester, New York, where she took up an office job. Driven by a calling to serve as a church secretary, Elaine moved to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute, from which she graduated in the spring of 1955. She accepted a position with a Baptist church in Holmesville, New York, and later served at a church in Elyria, Ohio.

During an annual church conference, Elaine met Mildred “Millie” Krikie, a fellow church secretary. Their friendship grew, and they decided to share an apartment to save money. After the passing of both of their parents, Elaine and Millie combined their inheritances to buy a house.

Elaine dedicated many years to working in the home office of Baptist Mid­ Missions. She and Millie frequently hosted missionaries on furlough, providing meals and lodging. Elaine enjoyed travel, driving across the country in 1962 to the World’s Fair in Seattle, visiting the Holy Land, and exploring Ireland. For many years, she and Millie made annual trips from Ohio to Toccoa for Thanksgiving.

In 2021, as Millie’s health declined, her family moved her back to Western New York. Elaine’s brother Clarence, along with his son Jon and daughter-in-law Cheryl, moved Elaine closer to family in Toccoa. She resided in the independent living, before moving to an assisted living facility. Elaine remained there until her passing on February 9, 2025.

Elaine will be interred in the Warsaw City Cemetery, in Warsaw, New York, in the family plot alongside her beloved parents. Her legacy of faith, friendship, and service will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Memorial service will be Saturday, March 8, 2025, 11 a.m. at Liberty Baptist Church, Toccoa with The Reverend Stacy Penland and Mr. Clarence Zeches officiating.

  Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements for Elaine Ella Zeches.