George Buckley ZeiglerSARASOTA COUNTY, FLA.
George Buckley Zeigler, 93, passed away in the late evening of Friday, July 6, 2018, in Sarasota County, Florida.
Born in 1925 to Fred and Amy (Alka) Zeigler in Columbus, “Buck” was the middle of 11 children.
At the tender age of 17, Buck, along with his older four brothers, enlisted in the military to fight in World War II. Buck was a ball turret gunner and later a B-24 nose gunner in the United States Army Air Corps, now the U.S. Air Force.
His crew flew mostly night missions over China and Japan. One harrowing night, after their navigation systems sent them into unexpected heavy fire, Buck earned a Silver Star for his heroic and brave actions.
Even after catching a bullet in his leg, he was able to wrench free a cargo bay door that imperiled their landing. Out of the 18 crews that trained together, only three came back.
Buck was honorably discharged, having earned the rank of Staff Sargent in 1945.
After surviving World War II with all of his brothers, Buck came back to Indiana to finish high school in Columbus. There he met the most charming and beautiful young woman, Mary Catherine Fivecoat, three years his junior, whom he would marry. They would eventually move to the north side of Indianapolis.
Their marriage lasted 65 years, and he would tell her, “If I weren’t married to you today, I’d marry you tomorrow,” all the time.
In the later years of their marriage, you would most likely see them sitting together holding hands anywhere they went.
They had four children, Kathy Verble (Mike), Susie LeMay, Tim Zeigler (deceased) and Jeff Zeigler (Cynthia); five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He worked for VanCamp Hardware and Iron Co. from 1957 to 1960, then became an entrepreneur as president of Buckley Zeigler Co., Inc., as a successful manufacturer’s rep traveling the Midwest for decades until his retirement in 1992.
He was a founding member of East Columbus United Methodist Church in Columbus, and was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis.
In 2002, Mary and Buck relocated to Venice, Florida, where they became members of Christ United Methodist Church.
He volunteered his time as much as possible to many causes in his retirement.
He was a member of St. John Masonic Lodge No. 20 F & AM since 1950, Indianapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine, American Legion, and the Service Club of Indianapolis. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge in Englewood, Florida.
All who knew him loved him and will miss his jovial personality and his ability to make people smile.
His memory will serve his family well as an example of a great man who lived life well.
We will miss him always, until we meet again.
We love you, Bubber!
Condolences: farleyfuneralhome.com.
