Obituary of Levi J. Ziegler

Levi J. Ziegler, 94, of Lititz, PA, entered the presence of God on Sunday morning, December 28, 2025 at his residence at Brethren Village. Born in Millbach Springs, Lebanon Co., he was the son of the late Jesse H. and Mary Darkes Ziegler. He was the husband of Helen R. Trimmer Ziegler for 72 years in August.

Dr. Ziegler was licensed for Christian ministry by the Church of the Brethren in April 1949. That same spring he graduated from Derry Twp. High School in Hershey. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Language from Elizabethtown College in 1953 and a Master of Divinity degree from Bethany Theological Seminary in 1956. He was ordained in 1956. In 1994 he was awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary.

He began his pastoral ministry in 1956 in Maysville, West Virginia where he served the Greenland and Allegheny COB congregations. He later pastored the Westernport (MD) COB, Roxbury COB in Johnstown, Erie (PA) Community United Church, and Conewago COB in Bachmanville. In 1986 he accepted the position of Associate Pastor at Brethren Village in Lancaster where he became the Senior Pastor in 1991.

Throughout his career, he was involved with leadership training and outdoor camping at Camp Galilee in West Virginia, Camp Harmony in western Pennsylvania, and Camp Swatara in Bethel. He was also a Camp Galilee board member and served as treasurer. He was a board member of the Allegheny County (MD) Red Cross. While in Erie, he was involved with the Erie Council of Churches and served as president for 2 years. He was also past president of Erie Drug and Rehabilitation board. In 1973, he worked closely with Billy Graham ministries overseeing the showing of Billy Graham's movie, “Time to Run”, in Erie. Later, he assisted David Wilkerson with a crusade he preached in Erie. Levi also served the Atlantic Northeast District Church of the Brethren by chairing the Ministry Commission, chairing the District Board, and serving as District Moderator. Currently, Levi was a member of Lititz Church of the Brethren.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, John L., husband of Marilyn Giles Ziegler, of Elgin, IL and Robert A., husband of Sarah L. Bowers Ziegler, of Manheim; a daughter-in-law, Dawn E. Wolfe Ziegler of Sebring, FL; three grandchildren, Patricia R., wife of Todd Bozeman and their children, Seth Ziegler, and Christopher Ziegler; and a sister, Virginia M. Sandifer of Altoona. Also surviving is his surrogate family, Loc and Helen Phan of Northern Virginia, and their children Krista, Kevin, and Steven. He was also preceded in death by a son, Dale T. Ziegler, and five siblings, Jesse and Roy Ziegler, Ruth Deitz, June Blouch, and Mildred Gnegy.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday morning, January 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Chapel of Brethren Village, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. Private interment will be in Grandview Memorial Park, Annville. The family will receive guests at the chapel immediately following the service. If desired, contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund of Brethren Village, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 or to the charity of the donor’s choice. To express a condolence with the family or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.

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