Henry Christ Zigner

Allentown – Henry Christ Zigner, 81, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, after a hard-fought battle against cancer. He died peacefully at his son’s home, 2226 W. Greenleaf St., Allentown.

Born in Kulpmont on March 7, 1939, he was the son of the late Henry E. and Helen (Sarge) Zigner. He graduated from Coal Township High School in 1956 and immediately enlisted in the military at the age of 17.

“Ziggy,” as he was known by his shipmates, served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, earning the rank of Chief Petty Officer (CTRC, E-7), before being honorably discharged due to service-related disability in 1976. He served as a radio intelligence operator on numerous vessels during the Vietnam War, and at duty stations across the globe during the Cold War Era and Cuban Missile Crisis, including Scotland, Turkey, Philippines, Guam, and Eleuthera. He earned the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal with three stars, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars during his service.

On April 23, 1966, he married his adored wife, Jane Elizabeth Davis, formerly of Shamokin, while serving as an instructor at the U.S. Naval Communications Training Center in Pensacola, FL, where his first son was also born. His second son was born while he was stationed in Sebana Seca, Puerto Rico. He was preceded in death by his wife in 2012.

After retiring from the military, Henry attended Bloomsburg State College, and earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in three years while also working full-time as a night bookkeeper to support his family. He and his family would later spend many years living in the Bloomsburg area.

Following graduation, Zigner became a career civil servant, and worked as accountant for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Miami, FL, National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) in the Bloomsburg area, and retired from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Cape Canaveral, FL.

His family finds comfort knowing that he would often say, “If I had to do it all over again … I would.”

He is survived by two sons, Matthew Zigner and his wife Jane of Marmora, NJ, and Michael Zigner of Allentown; a grandson, Thomas Zigner; two granddaughters, Sarah Zigner, and Caylie Zigner; a brother, Robert Zigner and his wife Eva of Shamokin; a sister, Helen Ann Reitz and her husband Jerry of Montgomery; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by six siblings.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Henry Christ Zigner, 81, of 2226 W Greenleaf Street, Allentown – Funeral services will be Friday, November 13, 2020, at 11:00 am with Reverend Joan Brown, officiating at Farrow-C.J. Lucas Funeral and Cremation Service, 240 W. Chestnut Street, Shamokin, Lori Ann Campbell, Supervisor. Viewing will be held prior the service from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. Burial will be following the service at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Coal Township. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up to help defray funeral expenses. Contributions may be made out to Farrow-C.J. Lucas Funeral and Cremation Service (c/o Henry Zigner Memorial Fund), 240 W Chestnut Street, Shamokin, PA, 17872. To send condolences to the family please visit www.farrowfh.com.

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