Gerald Thomas Ziegler

Gerald Thomas Ziegler (known by most as Jerry or Whitey), born June 15, 1936, to Hilda and Joseph Ziegler of Deer Park. He slipped from this world to his eternal rest on January 26, 2023, at age 86.

Son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, sailor, worker, friend – he served each role with every fiber of his being!  Jerry grew up in Deer Park, attended St. John and St. Savior grade schools, Sacred Heart Seminary and Purcell High School before joining the U.S. Navy, where he served as a mechanic from 1955-1959.  During his Navy days, he also sang in the choir (certificate upon request…he mentioned that often and we did find it).  He was a small business owner with his family gas station in the early 1960’s, was a truck driver for over 30 years, and “retired” to work at the Sharon Woods Golf Course for over 20 years.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus chapter 13608 and volunteered at every parish event he could.  Just last July, you would have seen him up on a ladder hanging electrical wires for the church festival!  He was a “shirt off his back” kind of guy.  He loved everyone and everyone loved him.  If you were lucky enough to know him, you were just plain lucky.

Jerry is survived by his wife Barbara (nee Horton) Ziegler of 62 years, also known as “sweetie pie,” and his beloved daughters Donna Ziegler, Joan (Pete) Seibenick, and Diane (Randy) Grimes.  He adored his 8 wonderful grandbabies, Sarah, Grace, Alex, Austin, Samantha, Connor, Rachael, and Logan. He would profess their skills and abilities to anyone who would listen (even if they weren’t really listening).  Jerry leaves behind his brothers, Joe Ziegler, Jim (Joyce) Ziegler, Bill (Heidi) Ziegler, Marty (Nancy) Ziegler, Tony (Lorraine) Ziegler, and his sister Mary Kay (Bill) Palmer and dozens of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, JoAnn Ziegler Colley and his parents, Hilda and Joseph Ziegler.

He loved telling stories.  Oh, the stories!  If you know any Jerry stories, we hope you will share them with us on February 6 and in the future, as we adjust to life without him.  He had so many friends and spent time with them traveling, golfing, and just sitting around talking.  You get the idea…he LOVED talking.  Finally, we would be remiss to not mention the other two great loves of Jerry’s life: his 1966 baby blue Cadillac and his 2004 cobalt blue Corvette.

Please join us on Monday, February 6 at St. John the Evangelist Church

9080 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, West Chester, OH 45069

-Visitation from 10-11am in the Church Gathering Space

-Mass of Christian Burial at 11am

-Celebration of life with a luncheon at noon in the Pavilion at St. John

The family will have a private burial service at Gate of Heaven on Tuesday, February 7.

Thank you for being a part of Jerry’s life and the lives of Barb, Donna, Joan and Diane.  We love you all so much and appreciate you loving us as well.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Purcell Marian High School or Hospice of Cincinnati.