W. Burnell Bernie Ziegler Obituary (1933 - 2013)

W. Burnell "Bernie" Ziegler, 79, of Pontiac, formerly of Peoria, IL passed away at 11:56 a.m. on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at OSF St. Joseph's Medical Center in Bloomington, IL. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac. Father David Sabel will officiate. Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Pontiac. Friends may call on Sunday, January 27, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Rob Hurt Memorial Scholarship or to the family. Bernie was born on November 10, 1933 in Moberly, MO, son of Carl L. and Anna (Todd) Ziegler. Bernie married Veronica "Ronnie" Watts on November 12, 1955 in Peru, IL. They divorced in 1967. Bernie later married Barbara Thannert, who passed away in 1997. He remarried his first wife, Ronnie, on November 12, 1999. Of the marriage of Bernie and Ronnie in 1955, three children were born; Dona Hurt, Paul Ziegler and Tom Hornstein. He is survived by his wife, Ronnie; one daughter, Dona Hurt of Pontiac; one son, Tom (Maria) Hornstein of Pekin, IL; daughter-in-law, Cathy Ziegler of Pontiac; six grandchildren, Michael Hurt, Thomas and Antonio Hornstein, Kaleigh Ziegler, Chris (Kelli) Cashmer and Kelli (Jim) Potts; one great-grandson, Drake (the apple of his eye) and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by three step-children, Paul (Jay) Thannert, Tony Fisher and Kathy (Tim) Curley; six step-grandchildren, Tyler Thannert and family; Lauren Fisher; Allison (Steve) Sours; Chris (Emily) Voss and family; Andy (Elizabeth) Voss and family and Danielle (Jason) Hayes and family. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Russ, Carl, Bob and Chet; one sister, Benny Ann. In 2012, he lost a beloved son, Paul Ziegler and in 2008, a grandson, Rob M. Hurt. Bernie graduated from Peoria Central High School in 1955. He was an enthusiastically involved sport player in his high school years, especially football. He was looking very forward to Super Bowl XLVII in February 2013 due to it being the first time that two brothers will be coaching opposing teams. He loved the Chicago Cubs, Bears and Bulls and was an avid golf fan. He was a member of Local 34 Peoria as a Journeyman Electrician.