ELIZABETHVILLE • John Christian Zigner, formerly of Elizabethville, passed away Oct. 16. He was 77. He was the third of six children of Blanche (Rowe) and Charles Zigner, predeceased by brothers Harold, who died in infancy, Charles “Chick” Zigner of Camarillo, Calif.; and sister Barbara Phillips of Williamstown. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judith (Kiehl) Zigner; two sons, Jeffery and Justin, both of Elizabethville; five grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren, his sister Delores “Doll” Kennedy of Williamstown and his brother Dave Zigner of Pine Grove. He was a 1960 graduate of Lykens High School, a U.S. Marine, and following his military service and college at Shippensburg and Bloomsburg universities, spent a career as a special education teacher in multiple area schools. In his youth, he played football for Lykens High School and in club leagues in the Marines. Active in the community, he was a member of the local Jaycees, Lions Club, the Elizabethville Recreation Board and Gratz Fair for many years. He had a passion for music, playing trumpet and saxophone for the Lykens Hose Company band, “The After Hours Band” and “The Horn Blowers.” He also lent his resonant baritone voice and easy sense of humor to the Lykens Minstrel and Lions Club productions over many performance seasons. An avid outdoorsman throughout his life, he treasured fishing and hunting excursions with family and friends, and particularly following retirement, saltwater fishing along the coast of Chinocoteague, Va. His friendship, fellowship and a laugh that easily filled any room will be missed by many. Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Paid by family
