Darwin D. Zeigler, 82, of St. Marys, Ohio, passed on to the next realm, March 4, 2025, at Otterbein - St. Marys. Born October 1, 1942, in Cloverdale, Ohio, son of Duane and Virginia (Wolf) Zeigler, he was preceded in death by his parents and by sister, Karen McCague, who died February 24, 2025. On August 28, 1965, he married Beverly Meeks in Continental, Ohio; she survives in St. Marys.

Darwin is also survived by his children: Denise (Nathan) Baldwin of Liberty Twp., Ohio; Brent (Michael Dekrmnjian) Zeigler, of Boston, MA; and grandchildren Truett Baldwin and Brock Baldwin.

Darwin was a 1960 graduate of Continental High School and earned his B.S. in Education from Defiance College on the cadet program and took courses from Ohio State and IU-Purdue for his Master's degree while teaching his first six years at the Jennings building in Spencerville, Ohio. He earned a Specialist degree in Education from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

At 19 years old, he was teaching 6th graders and coaching basketball in the Spencerville system. He continued his teaching career in Delphos and then in 1971, moved to St. Marys, where he was principal at West Elementary. In St. Marys he served as golf coach for several years. In 1992, he retired from St. Marys system where he had served as the first business manager for the school. After retiring from the St. Marys system, he held various short term jobs including transportation supervisor for the Troy City Schools. His next career venture was Executive Director of the St. Marys Community Foundation, a position he held for 13 years.

He and Bev were very active members and originators, along with Jim and Linda Daniel, of the Friends of St. Marys Community Public Library group for the primary purpose of passing a levy to build the present library building. Darwin served on the library board and also as president of the Friends group several different times. He was a member of Wayne St. United Methodist Church and was instrumental in raising funds and overseeing construction of the present church building. A member of the community, he was active in Kiwanis service club, and later he was an active member of Rotary.

Darwin enjoyed playing golf, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Many fond memories were made with family and friends who gathered at his parents' cottage on Ball Lake in Indiana.

A celebration of Darwin's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Wayne St. Methodist Church in St. Marys. Darwin was a thoughtful, kind and caring person. Not much upset him and he accepted what life presented. He enjoyed life and people.

If you wish to make a donation in his memory, the family prefers that donations be made to the Darwin and Beverly Zeigler Scholarship Fund to benefit students seeking careers in education with emphasis on elementary education and the arts, including music, foreign languages and architecture.

Donations can be made at www.thesmcf@bright,net, 419-394-5693, contacting Administrator, Mike Makley, 101 W.Spring St., Suite A, St Marys, Ohio, 45885.

Condolences may be expressed and memories shared with Darwin's family via: www.millerfuneralhomes.net or the Miller Funeral Homes Facebook Page.

Arrangements for Mr. Darwin Ziegler have been entrusted to the Miller Funeral Homes in St. Marys and New Knoxville, OH.