ZIEGLER, Raymond C. 1916-2017

ZIEGLER, GUNNERSON, WILLHITE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/21/2017 at 08:05:58

U.S. VETERAN

Raymond C. Ziegler

July 27, 1916 - June 13, 2017

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at the Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton, Iowa, with Pastor Sandi Gobeli officiating. Burial will take place in the Osage Cemetery in Osage, Iowa.

Raymond C. Ziegler, 100, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at the Sheffield Care Center in Sheffield, Iowa.

Ray was born July 27, 1916, in Ada, Minnesota, to Charles Andrew and Minnie Christina (Gunnerson) Ziegler. He graduated from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, with a degree in farm management. While attending Purdue, Ray was a member of Purdue's Old Gold Glee Club. Ray was united in marriage to Melba Willhite on May 25, 1941, in Mellott, Indiana. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army for 18 months, from 1943 to 1945, in the Pacific Theater.

After moving to and working in Osage, Iowa, Ray and Melba and family moved to Hampton, where they owned and operated Ray's Hatchery and Feed. The family were members of the First Congregational Church and sang in the church choir. Ray was also a member of the Hampton Library Board.

In 1980, Melba passed away. He later married Genevieve Engstrom Dilly on December 26, 1981. Ray was employed at Hoover's Hatchery in Rudd, Iowa, and lived there until he retired on September 23, 1983. After his retirement, Ray and Gen returned to Hampton, where they were members of the United Methodist Church; Ray was also a member of the church choir. Ray enjoyed rooting for both the Purdue Boilermakers and the Iowa Hawkeyes, and together, he and Gen hosted many TV parties for football and basketball games. Popcorn, cheese, and apples were usually served, as that was a favorite Ziegler snack.

Ray delivered “Meals on Wheels” in Hampton until he was a “young” 92 years of age. He was a member of the North Iowa Barbershop Chorus and Franklin County Choral. He frequently sang in the band shell for summer concerts. Ray's love for solving Crossword Puzzles may have been a positive factor in his long life.

Ray is survived by his daughter Ann (Jim) Huck of Denver, Pennsylvania, son Kenton (Bonnie) Ziegler, of Scottsdale, Arizona, daughter Jane (Erich) Lear of Maltby, Washington, daughter Julie (Tom) Ziegler-McCarty of Oakland, California, daughter Peggy (Dave) Sears of Burnsville, Minnesota, daughter Donna (Rick) Smith of Bastrop, Texas, son Kevin (Roxanne) Dilly of Clear Lake, Minnesota, several nieces and nephews, 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives Melba and Genevieve, sister Flora Donley, brothers Dave and Don Ziegler, and son John Ziegler.

In lieu of flowers, Ray's family asks you to consider donations to the Hampton Public Library or the Sheffield Care Center, 100 Bennett Drive, Sheffield, Iowa 50475.

Source: Mason City Globe Gazette, 21 JUN 2017