Raymond L. Ziegler

Raymond Leo Ziegler, age 96, of Northville, formerly of Livonia, passed into Eternal Life on December 8, 2023. Predeceased by his wife, Thelma, Raymond is now reunited with her, the love of his life. His greatest legacy is his legacy of love. His family remembers him as a loving husband, father, grandfather, soon-to-be-great-grandfather, brother and uncle.

Raymond was born on April 23, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan, the second eldest of five boys of John and Kathleen (Lamb) Ziegler. He was raised in a loving faith-filled family. He lived on a farm in Utica and moved back to Detroit where he attended St. Leo's High School, class of 1945. Raymond graduated from the University of Detroit with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and completed some post graduate studies in law. He proudly served his country during WWII in the United States Navy. Admitted to the Naval Air Corps, Raymond failed the hearing test and was assigned to the battleship USS Wisconsin as a midshipman. He was selected to be a helmsman, something he was very proud to do before being honorably discharged.

Raymond was married to Thelma Miller on June 28, 1952. They were lovingly devoted to one another until her death on May 16, 2015. "How green is my valley" Raymond would often say. He was so grateful to God for his life, saying he was blessed by God beyond measure. He was a man who paid it forward. As an eternal optimist, for years he sang the tune "Zip-a-dee-doodah, zip-a-dee-ay", as he thought everyday was “…A wonderful day”. Along with his wonderful sense of humor, Raymond was admired for his kindness, his patience and his humility. He liked to make people laugh. He was slow to anger, always encouraging and always wanted the best for others. He lived the "Good will toward men" directive.

Raymond worked for Ford Marketing Institute, creating and developing marketing and sales programs for dealerships all over the world. He loved his job. As an incredibly hard worker, he enjoyed the successes he had at work, as well as the opportunity to travel and see the world. After 40 years with Ford Motor Company, Raymond retired in 1992.

Active in the Catholic Church, Raymond was a member of St. Collette Parish, served as President of the parish council, was the Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus, and taught catechism. Selfless and giving of his time, for years, Raymond was a part of the Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund, volunteered for over 20 years at St. Christine’s Soup Kitchen, participated in St. Vincent DePaul drives, and built homes in the Detroit area with Habitat for Humanity.

His greatest joy came from his family, and he cherished every moment they spent together. He was very involved with his grandchildren and used his fantastic imagination writing letters and emails to them where he could spin tall tales; he started when they were young with his days as a “cowboy” and eventually progressed to suspenseful mysteries as they got older. With some encouragement, Raymond wrote and published an autobiography for his family.

Raymond stayed very active his entire life. He was a huge Notre Dame fan, and loved the Tigers and Lions as well. He enjoyed bowling, horseback riding, snow and water skiing, and was still on the treadmill at age 96!  He participated in bike tours in northern Michigan. He was an avid golfer, loved the game, and played in many leagues in Livonia, Dearborn and in Sarasota. Raymond and Thelma spent their winters in Sarasota, enjoying the sunshine, friends and family, golfing and entertaining. One of their very favorite places to be in the summer was Elk Rapids, Michigan, where the family frequently gathered. Raymond taught all his grandchildren how to play golf there.

Raymond is survived by his loving daughters, Nadine (Len) Fedoruk, Denise (Tim) Trenary, and Marianne Mical; his grandchildren, Nicholas Mical, Scott (Laura) Trenary, Kelly (Chris) Peltola, Brandon Fedoruk, and Connor Fedoruk; and his brother, Russell (Eleanor) Ziegler.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma, his son-in-law, Ed Mical, his parents and his brothers, Edwin Ziegler, Don Ziegler and Harry Ziegler.

Raymond was a loving man, and he always chose to share that love and his smiling eyes with everyone he met.  We are grateful for his legacy of love.

Memorial visitation will be held Sunday, December 17, 2023 from 3:00pm until 6:00pm with a Rosary at 5:00pm at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 10:30am with a time of gathering beginning at 10:00am at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14951 N. Haggerty Rd., Plymouth. Raymond will be laid to rest with his wife at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Solanus Casey Center , 1780 Mt. Elliot St., Detroit, MI 48207 or Capuchin Soup Kitchen , 1820 Mt. Elliot St., Detroit, MI 48207.