Bernard Lothar Ziegler

Bernard Lothar Ziegler passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023 in Crystal Lake, IL. He was born in 1940 in Orlamünde, Germany to the late Kurt E. And Kathe H. Ziegler. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Mary Ann J. Ziegler (nee Mazzaro) and brothers Konrad Ziegler and Peter Ziegler.

Bernie spent his early youth in what eventually became East Germany. His father worked for the Carl Zeiss lens company and in the early 1950’s, he moved the family to Oberkochen, (formerly West) Germany.  Shortly thereafter, his family was then sponsored to emigrate to the United States and he landed in Flushing, Queens where he perfected his English, had a paper route, and experienced all that 1950’s NYC had to offer.

He met his future wife when his family relocated to Bergenfield, NJ at a dance. The rest, they say, is history. He worked full time and simultaneously went to night school eventually graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers. He became a data programmer in the very early days of computers and was on the IT team that developed the Medicaid program. He loved his family dearly and was an amazing, patient father. He appreciated opera, classical music and Bugs Bunny.

He is survived by his brother Hans H. Ziegler. Much cherished father of Bernard M. Ziegler, James K. (Sharon) Ziegler, Mary Ann J.Z. (William) Cowan, Christina E. Ziegler (Steven) Campbell, Maria B. (Cyril) Coombs, and Regina T. (Andrew) Wulff. Loving Grandfather to Sara M. Ziegler, Katherine D. (TJ) Ziegler, Jonathan C. Wulff, Michelle J. Wulff and Cyril B. Coombs.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association online at https://act.alz.org/site/Donation or via mail at 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601.

Visitation will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 930am until 1030 am at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory 419 E Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL. Burial will follow at Crystal Lake Memorial Park, 8012 Ridgefield Rd, Crystal Lake, IL.