My father-in-law was Frank Zielis and He said the original spelling of the name was Zilus. We also have the purple heart George Zielis received and a formal documentation with the name spelled Zilus.
Frank said the name was change because the nun at St Rose in Kenosha said this is how the name should be spelled,Joesph his father said if that is what they said they would do it.
Frank was born Jan. 8, 1908. He was the only son and had a sister Mary and Stella. Stella passed at a younger age and Mary passed in the late 80's early 90's. Frank passed in May 1988. Frank always told the same story over with no variation what so ever.