Earl W. Ziegler, 96, of Fredericksburg, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at his home. He was the husband of Patricia A. (Zidik) Ziegler. They would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on July 18.
Born in Fredericksburg on July 5, 1929, he was the son of the late Philip and Cora (Peiffer) Ziegler. Earl was born on the family farm and worked as a dairy farmer his entire life. The farm has been in the family for nearly 110 years. In September 2025, Earl was featured in an article in LebTown where he shared the history of his third-generation farm. He was one of the first farmers in the county to preserve his farm with the Lebanon County Conservation District. He was a member of St. John’s U.C.C., Fredericksburg. Earl was a member of Young Farmers and the PA Farm Bureau, where he served as the Lebanon County Farm Bureau Director. For many years, he served on the Cedar Hill Cemetery board. He enjoyed hunting, traveling, and eating out.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Richard E. (Stephanie) Ziegler, of Lebanon, and Randy L. (Charlene) Ziegler, of Fredericksburg; step-sons, Thomas R. (Vicki) Umbenhauer, of Richland, and Dale J. Umbenhauer, of North Carolina; step-daughter, Ann M. (Christopher) Allwein, of Annville; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and special friend, Ernie.
He was preceded in death by his son, Paul Ziegler; step-son, David A. Umbenhauer; brothers, Frank and Roy Ziegler; and sister, Edna Rittle.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026, at the Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home & Crematory, Jonestown. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his church at P.O. Box 87, Fredericksburg, PA 17026, or WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospice, 252 S. 4th St., Lebanon, PA 17042.
