Victor John “Ziggy” Ziegler, 72, of Oil City, passed away August 16, 2018, of a heart-related incident that resulted in a car accident.

He was born on July 8th, 1946 to John Victor “Fritz” and Rachel (Baker) Ziegler. He was of the Catholic faith.

Vic excelled in both high school and college at Clarion University. He went on to teach at North Clarion school district for 25 years, while at the same time owning and operating the Zig Zag Bar located at 69 Beaver St, Downtown Lickingville PA. In his true entrepreneurial spirit, he also was an Independent Rep for Zippo and to this day could be found selling his “World Famous” Zig Zag Bar t-shirts.

In addition to teaching and running the bar, Vic was instrumental in developing the Baker Nine softball team, helping his mom run the Bakers Confectionary and starting many community events, including canoeing that we know today on the Clarion River in Cook Forest.

Vic was a very caring, kind, compassionate and encouraging man. He would give you the shirt off his back, the last dollar in his pocket, the last cigarette in his pack; buy you a drink or meal if he thought you needed one. He would address everyone by name and on the off chance he forgot your name you would be addressed as “Miss or Sir”. You may have also been referred to as a “Gigolo” or a “Knucklehead” but those were certainly terms of endearment. He may have also referred to you as something else, but that is not appropriate to print. Vic lived to respect others and showed that respect by always wearing a suit coat (often a tie) and always addressing you with pleasantries. Vic never met a stranger.

Vic was well known in his community for helping others and wanting nothing in return. Vic would hold large dinners for every holiday and provide gifts for the kids to ensure that everyone knew they were important and would not go without. He was also known in his neighborhood for respecting his community and keeping it cleaned up. You could find him outside of his home tending to bushes, mowing, weeding and raking leaves on properties he didn’t own.

Vic could often be found at area festivals, fairs, raffles, etc. volunteering his time or calling BINGO. If there was something to win, he would normally win it, but turn around and donate it or give it to someone that he thought needed it more.

I am sure that all of his former students and classmates, friends and hopefully not too many foes, can think of a unique, often mischievous story or run-in with Uncle Vic. He was a character that lived his life to the fullest and asked for nothing in return. He was a selfless, giving man that should be remembered for his quick wit, kind heart, and love of all God’s creatures (cats being at the top). He would not want you to mourn his loss but celebrate his very well lived and colorful life. Live your life to the fullest, do not live with regret and treat others as you want to be treated.

Victor is survived by a very large and extended family, including his very special niece Teresa (Ziegler) Eury and her husband Rob, brother Ted Ziegler and wife Helen, his special lady friend Kathy Steiner and a very special young man that Vic thought of and treated as his son, Michael “Mikey” Kuhns. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gordon and Gaylord Ziegler, sisters Alberta (Ziegler) Kunselman and Geraldine (Ziegler) Hartzell.

There will be no public visitation or viewing. Vic will be cremated and laid to rest at the family plot in Venus. Donations can be made to the “Victor Ziegler Memorial Scholarship Fund” at any branch of the First United National Bank, Friends for Food in Vic’s name or to the charity of one’s choice in Vic’s name.

To honor Vic, Mr. Ziegler, please think of a happy memory or funny story (they have to be in abundance) have a drink of one’s choice, a smoke if you wish, rip a ticket or buy a lottery ticket and send him a toast and be sure to have a lot of fun doing it.

Bye for now Uncle Vic, keep things rocking in the heavens until we see you again.

The Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.rvburnsfuneralhome.com.