July 16, 2025
Local News

‘We’re glad to be here’

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Couple trying to put terrifying ordeal behind them

LEAF RIVER – While her husband was struggling on the floor with the knife-wielding intruder who had just stabbed her, a Leaf River woman, badly wounded, reached under the men, found a cellphone and called for help.

Now David Zellers, 50, and his wife, Denise, 47, are focusing on healing, physically and emotionally. Both were stabbed several times.

“We’re recovering,” David said Sunday, a week after the attack. “We’re working on the recovery part and putting the rest behind us.”

Michael W. Mitchell, 26, of Leaf River, is charged with attempted murder, home invasion, and aggravated assault in connection with the July 3 attack. He is in Ogle County Jail.

Both David and Denise underwent operations at SwedishAmerican Hospital in Rockford. Denise, whose wounds were more serious, was in intensive care almost 2 days, David at her side. She faces more surgery in the coming weeks.

Their recovery from the terrifying experience is as much emotional as physical, he said.

“It’s tough to deal with. I think it’s been harder for Denise,” he said. “We’re glad to be here.”

David said he isn’t sure why they were attacked. He works part time for the village’s maintenance department and was on call for the weekend. Mitchell called him on the village cellphone with concerns about Leaf River’s water quality.

“There was no argument. It was a discussion – it wasn’t confrontational,” David said.

The Zellerses are recuperating with David’s parents, who also live in Leaf River. They have lost many of the furnishings in their home – some furniture, flooring, and curtains had to be tossed.

“Our furniture got cut up and got blood on it,” David said. “Anything with blood on it is gone.”

“But that’s all material stuff. That can all be replaced. “

Their families and the community have rallied around them since the incident, he said.

“We’ve had tons of people offer their help. We appreciate all the help and support.”

Since David was laid off 3 years ago from Camcar in Rockford, they have had no medical insurance, and now they also face the expenses of putting their home back in order.

A fund to help them get back on their feet has been set up at Forreston State Bank and a garden walk benefit will be held later this month.

To help

A garden walk to benefit a Leaf River couple will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 23 and from 1 to 4 p.m. July 24 in the Leaf River area.

Five homes will be featured on the walk, proceeds from which will help David and Denise Zellers pay medical and other expenses.

On the tour are:

The Krupa Garden, 10229 N. Leaf River Road.

The Newcomer Garden, 10046 N. Leaf River Road.

The Badertscher Garden, 4498 W. Otter Road.

The Ruiz Garden, 4558 W. Otter Road.

The Rose Garden, 11606 N. Mount Morris Road.

Maps and a donation bucket will be available at each location. All donations will go to an account set up at Forreston State Bank. Make checks payable to Benefit of Shannon (Denise) & Dave Zellers. 

Flower bulbs and seeds, handcrafted birdhouses and cookbooks also will be sold.

Call Mary Rose Krupa, 815-520-2082, for more information.