You left us all so suddenly,
Your last thoughts of life unknown,
But you left of us with great memories
We are proud to own.

We know that love doesn’t end with dying,
Or leave with the last breath,
For someone you’ve loved deeply,
Love doesn’t end with death.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.

It takes a minute to find a special person,
An hour to appreciate them
And a day to Love them,
BUT AN ENTIRE LIFE TO FORGET THEM.

Today, tomorrow & always,
We will love and cherish you.

You meant so much too so many people.  Always such a character and trying to get a laugh out of people or have a good time.  You walked in a room and everyone knew it was Don, Donnie, or Ziegler.  If they didn't know you when you walked in by GOD they knew you when you walked out (Good or Bad).  

WHAT A TALKER when it was something you were ready to gab about. Politics, a Ballgame, Beam around the World, Religion, THE BOAT ??  INSURANCE????

How do we go on without you...?  

You were a character from the beginning, I recently heard about the man with a pea that sprouted in his lung had nothing on you.  Because Uncle Irvie said 70+ years ago as a child you were the CURIOUS sort and had a habit of putting a bean up your nose until one sprouted, wonder why that didn't make the news.  

I also heard as a young man your mom sent you out to the woodpile for wood for the fire and you being the INDEPENDENT type joined the Marines.  

While in the Marines they apparently brought out the FEARLESS side and you were in a little theatre production.  You were a dancer:  FEARLESS I SAY.   You performed the Madame Butterfly dance going all the way across the stage in your skivvies. Heard your commander was sitting in the audience and loved it.  I do believe alcohol was involved the first time you did the dance but I must say I loved your reenactment for us on how your arms floated up and down and can only imagine the scene when you had to tell mom you lost a stripe.  

Also recently heard that many many (25+) years ago you and a buddy friend drank beer from some cans and then sold the empty cans as antiques because they just stopped making that brand.  The cans were worth more emptied so you helped along the process! Only you could get away with that.   What a Character.  

But there was a COMPASSIONATE side.  The time I was sitting in the driveway at the house crying and you walked up and asked what was wrong and I said, “The cars broke”, your reply is that all.  Is crying going to fix it.  Call your brother and get him over he to help you.  Little did I know until later that a woman sitting in the driveway crying in a car was Mom’s way of telling you she was pregnant again !!!   I guess that is why it was such an easy fix that day. 

Of course I should mention there were a few times that we could get you. 

Years of Memories of you teasing Grandma Marsh about the type of pie she made at Christmas. She was always trying to please everyone, but you teased her all the way up until the year she got you back and she made three different favors.  GOTCH YA.  - Not always an easy thing to do. 

The day I delivered your first grandchild and every baby born in the hospital that day was a boy and so the nurse came out and announced boy again and you said, “I KNEW SHE COULD DO IT" then another nurse came out and said it was a girl and you cried, "WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BOY!".    WE GOTCH YA. 

The best part of that story it just recently when that Granddaughter gave you a Great-grandson who walked up to you, knowing you were his POP POP and gave you a high five and a hug, not once but twice just to make sure you knew you were loved before leaving the house.  GOTCH YA.  (Melted that big old heart).

Mom did get you that 21 gun salute that you use to laugh about with her when you were younger – MOM GOTCH YA. 

I did wait until the very end and was the last one to leave your side at the cemetery, when you told me for years it couldn't be done. I GOTCH YA

The problem is... I MISS YA and now GOD has GOTCH YA.  May he bless you and keep you safe in his hands until that day we meet again in which there is no sunset and no dawning.  I LOVE YA. Dad.

My regret is Gavin not growing up not knowing you and what a character you were.  He walks around holding his hands in front of his belly or behind his back, just like you. He sits and leans back with his one arm across the back of the chair just like you.  He still walks around the housing calling for Pop Pop and it breaks my heart in two that he won't have those growing up moments with you.  We will do our best to have him know you and your character but he definitely will miss out on the real thing. 

There is no replacement.  How could there be.  You are what they call in the BEAM WORLD,..  "A ONE OF A KIND".

To Rose & Family,  Words come really hard to express how sorry we are for your loss. We can only say: remember all the good times and know that your fellow Beamers are with you. 
 Evvonne & Bud Harshman,  
 Blue Mt Collectors Club,

  It's been so upsetting to me that this has happened to him & his family. I have done nothing, but cry since Mom called the other day to let me know what happened. I am literally in shock. I've been a basket case, cried myself to sleep that night & the next day I got out my pictures that I took at the District meeting..
  I needed to see him, go through all the pictures, but each time I cried more. I so thankful & blessed that I went to our District meeting & was able to spend some quality time together, to look at him, talk, etc.
  I'm not sure how many years that I've known Don, Rose & their family. Don was like a second father to me, in fact I even called him Pops & Rose I called Shortcake or Little Momma. Don was very loving, caring man who would do anything he could for you(give you the shirt off his back if you needed it). He was down to earth, easy to get along with & once you met him, you had a friend for life! He also liked to stir the pot up at times, joke around, etc. He was always up to some kind of mischief, a little prankster you might say. Lol. He was always in a good mood, had a smile on is face & the majority of the time I saw him he had that cigar in his mouth. Smoked it some, chewed on it I guess. Years ago I teased him about it & telling him it looked like a goat turd sticking out of his mouth, Yuk!
  I'm truly proud, honored & blessed to have loved, known him & his family. Lord, I ask you to look over this family, friends & help them get through this trajic loss. I'm so worried about my little Shortcake. She & Don have been together for so many years. This is just ripping my heart apart, but no matter what he will ALWAYS remain in my heart. I wish I was able to be there with them, to comfort them, talk, but I'm unable. Not sure I could help them anyhow. I feel so useless, Sorry. However, I will treasure the memories we shared together, the times I came to stay a day or two with them, our talks, our laughs, etc.
  He was a great man, a compassionate friend & a loving adoptive father to me. He will be thoroughly missed, not just now, but many years to come. I know that he's in a better place, a place called Heaven. I have no doubt that Don will easily find him a new group of friends there & I know he's surrounded by angels & loved ones. It may take him a tad longer to get his wings so he can soar like an eagle, but he'll get them. Same goes for his golden halo, might need a little polishing due to his mischievousness over the years. Lol. But one can't go through a happy & completed life without having a joker, prankster in their life. As they say Love Makes the World go Around! Makes each day a little better & life a lot easier.
  He will be truly be missed, but he will NEVER be forgotten. I love him, his family so very much  & I will keep them in my thoughts & prayers. Take care Pops! I love you so much. 
  You're One of a Kind  & I'm honored to have gotten to know you, to love you, to not only have you in my life, but to have you in my heart. I know you're in good hands now & don't worry about us. It will take a great deal of time to get through this, but we will. I don't deal well with death(especially with one I love so much), never have & never will.Hope you understand.
  Better stop here. I'm so sorry that this has happened to you & your family. For my Shortcake, Brenda, Kathy & rest of the family; I'm sorry I wish I could have been there for all of you, but I would have been a basket case. I'm sending all of you my prayers though. 
  I love you Pops! Shortcake, stay strong  through this I know it's hard. Know that you are so very loved, Debbie

Rose and Family:  Our heartfelt sympathy to you on Don's passing and prayers be with you during this difficult time.  Don will be missed by all who knew him.
Allan & Cindy Hiscox  Rubber Capital Jim Beam Club/ IAJBBSC Secretary/Treasurer

"And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." REVELATIN 21:4

Our prayers are with you at this most difficult time. May God Bless and help the Zigler family recover from this awful sudden loss.Bill Moyer & Chester Scott 5 Seasons Club-Modesto Beamers

Rose and family, our prayers are with you.  Don will be missed by all who knew him.
Del & Sharron Schneider (Milwaukee Club)

My prayers are with the Ziegler family. And Evelyn my thoughts will be with you this weekend.

dear rose and fammily,  our prayers are with you in your time of grief.  we will always cherish the fond memories we have all spent over the years. don will always be in our thoughts.

ziegler family, keith and diana fettkether from the 5 seasons beam club.iowa send our prayers

Brenda, I don't know if you'll remember me, Gwen Winstead (elkins) from 
Butler, saw this and wanted to say how sorry I am to hear of your fathers passing.  My Email address is GwenE171@yahoo.com if you would like to write back.  Take care and god bless you and your family.

Our love,thought and prayers are with the entire Ziegler family. 
CT Specialty Club

Bless you and your family.  Prayers with you. Kay Lutes Mills

Our prayers are with you and your family.  We have fond memories of Don.  We picture him and his smile.  That will always be with us.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.  Donnie was a great man and will be missed by many.

With Sympathy from the Mountaineer Jim Beam Bottle Club
A. V. Tomkies, Secretary

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Our Love and deepest sympathy.  May the Blessing of Heaven be with you and all the family and friend at this trying time. 

T.K. and  "Gene" Tanner.  Memphis, TN

OBITUARY

Donald W. Ziegler

July 19, 1935 – September 6, 2010

Arch L. Heady and Son - Cralle Funeral Home and Cremation Services

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