Zelmira Rivas

1939 - 2025

Zelmira Rivas

October 28, 1939 - December 7, 2025

DECATUR – Zelmira Rivas, beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday evening, December 7, 2025, at St. John's Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. until the service time. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at gracelandfairlawn.com.

Zelmira will be profoundly missed by her loving family, especially her sister Act? Mireya Gutierrez, whom she lived with after the death of Amalia. They were famous in Decatur, going to lunch and shopping together every day. The family heard of the sightings of the cute "young" sisters often as they shared their days together on their daily adventures.

Zelmira is survived by her loving sister, Act? Gutierrez of Decatur; brother, Dr. Alejandro Rivas and his wife Beverly of Old Hickory, TN; and her nieces and nephews, Mauricio Gutierrez and his wife Julie, Soraya Hiser and her husband Dan, Desiree Renfro and her husband John, Christopher Rivas and his wife Margaret, and Henry Sowell and his wife Michelle. She also leaves behind nine great-nieces and great-nephews who she was so proud of, Henry Sowell, Garett May (Abby Palmiter) Samuel Renfro (fiancée Paige Davis), Riley Renfro, Lane Renfro, Emma Rivas, Carter Rivas and Kennedy Sowell.

Zelmira was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister; sister, Amalia Rivas; nephew, Michael Rivas; and great-nephew, Christopher Gutierrez; and her beloved companion, Sydney.

Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home

2091 N. Oakland Ave., Decatur, IL 62526

217-429-5439