Frank, Dad, Papa, Great Papa . . . has moved to his heavenly home!

There he joins his beloved wife of 50 years, Joyce – or Joyce-ee as he called her - as well as his Dad Frank Sr, Mom Mary (Chirillo), sister Penelope, baby brother John, son John, and grandson Peter and a few other Ziegler babies who were swept directly up to heaven.

He leaves a family legacy here to carry on his Godly example and heart of service  including  his 3 remaining sons and 4 daughter-in-laws - Frank III & Charlene, Tom & Janiece, David & Laurie and Johns' wife, Cheryl.  Add to that 14 Grandchildren – Jessie Arnett & Joe, Andrea Sheedy & Jeff, Kimberly Iorillo & Tony, Lauren Murphy & Greg, Mackenzy Ziegler, Casey Simons & Ryan, Nicole Ziegler, Samantha Ziegler, and Clara Ziegler. And finally, 11 Great Grandchildren – Gabriel and Jacob Arnett, Valerie and Eleanor Sheedy, Isabella, Adrianna, and Serafina Iorillo, Ethan, James, and Isaac Murphy, and Adelaide Simons . . . and two more babies due this year.

Dad was born and raised in River Rouge, Michigan where he had an early career serving his community as a River Rouge Police Officer.  He attended Kalamazoo College and eventually found his 40+ year calling as a Mortgage Banker in the Downriver area followed by a "retirement" working for Manheim Auto Auction.   Throughout his adult life, he faithfully served as Deacon of Grace Baptist Church of River Rouge and was known for his love of his Savior and his habit of always being at church on time – which always meant early.

Dad loved watching sports of any kind – but playing softball and basketball as well as scuba diving were some of his favorite pastimes.  It's an absolutely true story that during a softball game he yelled to Joyce - who was in labor in the bleachers, "Hang on Joyce-ee . . . there's only two more innings!"

Mom loved camping – we're not sure if Dad loved camping or just really loved Mom.  Either way Dad's years of taking us camping in Ludington followed by years of vacations at Blue Lake definitely instilled a love of nature and camping that runs deep throughout our family.

Some things will always remind us of Dad, Papa, Great Papa . . . like sports broadcasts , Gunsmoke, flannel anything, slippers, his soft heart for all his grandchildren with an extra soft heart for the  "girls" in the family . . . and ice cream – especially Black Cherry.

For our family, Christmas will always be most special because it was Papa's favorite – the tree, him wearing the Santa hat to pass out presents, the huge mound of wrapping paper, Christmas Breakfast, and his absolute favorite - the growing mantle of stockings – 35+ at last count!

But most important of all  - we will remember his dedication to living his life as a Godly example to family, friends, and strangers.  It's his greatest legacy.  Always honest and forthright with a quiet  teasing sense of humor and sideways smile, he always showed the greatest respect and absolute love to Mom and every member of our family.  He faithfully served his church, and he trained up his boys to be men who would follow after God.

Charlene (Daughter-in-Law #1) wrote this in a Christmas card years ago to Dad . . .

"This family continues to grow and experience the Lord's blessing because of the Godly principles you and Joyce instilled in your boys.  I thank the Lord I am privileged to be part of this close and loving family.  Your boys are always willing to help anyone no matter what.  They are like that due to you and Joyce.  This family is your legacy that will go on for generations to come.  You're sure to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant".  I'm looking forward to meeting your dad and thanking him.  God bless the Ziegler men."

We are so very thankful Dad, Papa, Great Papa was with us for 89 years.

So many memories to cherish and so many lessons to carry with us . . .

·       Keep God first

·       Obey your parents

·       Respect others

·       Be honest

·       Do what's right

·       Love each other

·       Family is everything

Love you, Dad . . . we will see you in heaven!

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 4:00-8:00pm and will continue on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 9:00-11:00am with the Funeral Service beginning at 11:00am. All services will be at the Taylor Location of at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services 9800 Telegraph Road Taylor, MI 48180. Entombment will take place at Michigan Memorial Park Cemetery in Flat Rock, MI.