John R. Zeigler

Passed away Saturday, April 3, 2010, in Winter Haven, Florida at the age of 87. Born on July 26, 1922, in Grover, PA, John lived his early life in the Canton, PA area. He graduated from Canton High School where he played football with the same spirit and energy that he lived his whole life. He married his high school sweet heart, Ileen Leonard Zeigler (predeceased), shortly after graduation and had a daughter, Donna Z. Winsor, before serving in Germany during the final days of WWII. After the war, he and his family moved to Elmira where he was employed for over 25 years as Service Manager for Albee Motors and Lou Villa Pontiac. He is remembered for his mechanical brilliance and his untiring devotion to his customers, including many ladies in their golden years who would come by "Ziggy's" house for help years after he left Albee Motors. He finished his career as an instructor in Auto Mechanics at the Elmira Correctional Facility. John loved new cars but he loved family more. He taught his son-in-law Ken Winsor and brother-in-law Dale Leonard how to fix engines. The three spent endless hours working together in the garage, with plentiful laughs and colorful language. When teenage Donna and her friend Betty totaled his new red Pontiac convertible, John told Donna, "Cars I can replace, daughters I can't." He and Ileen took great joy in their grandchildren, niece, and nephews with never-ending adventures camping, hunting, and snowmobiling. He taught them all how to drive his motorcycle and his stick-shift orange VW "Thing." Ileen and John enjoyed many wonderful years with close friends on a steady diet of outings, dinner parties, and poker games (winnings to play the next weekend were kept in a sock). They enjoyed a happy retirement traveling and wintering in Florida. After Ileen passed, John was blessed to spend the last years of his life with his beloved companion and forever "pal" Marie Henrich. They shared old times and new days with a close bond and much love. He leaves his daughter Donna Z. Winsor and son-in-law Kenneth C. Winsor, Jr.; grandchildren Kirsten McNamara (Larry), Jane Winsor (Bill Ellet) and Kenneth J. Winsor (Elizabeth); great grandsons Will Ellet, Alex and Ethan Winsor; niece Lori Rice (Dave) and nephews Jamie Leonard (Cindy) and Jody Leonard. John was predeceased by his brother Jim Zeigler and leaves his sister-in-law Ruth; children Brenda Hilfiger(Les), Christopher (Sue), and Craig; his youngest brother Charles Zeigler, sister-in-law Jeanne, and sons Steve and John; Pastor Bill and his Church family; and Romeo, the cat he adored. Calling hours will be at Olthof Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 Pennsylvania Ave, Elmira, Friday April 30, 2010 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held there Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.The Pastor Bill Vallet officiating. Interment will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery and will be at the convenience of the family.