Charles Frank Ziegler

Charles Frank Ziegler was born October 17, 1933, to Harold and Carrie (Turner) Ziegler in Michigan City, Indiana. He joined three older siblings: Barbara Ziegler Heming, Marjory Ziegler Stehman, and James Ziegler. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, and his brother. Charles was known familiarly as Chuck to his family and as Charlie to his many friends in California where he spent a large part of his adult life.

Charlie was baptized on April 4, 1947, at the First Presbyterian Church, Michigan City, Indiana. Charlie graduated from Elston High School in 1952, then attended Business School for one year.

Charlie served two years active duty in the United States Army during the Korean War (from January 1956 - December 1957). Charlie was assigned to the Army 450th Artillery, Alaska Division, based at Fairbanks, Alaska. He received citations for Marksmanship M1 and Sharpshooter M1, a Good Conduct Medal, and an Honorable Discharge. Following his discharge from active duty, Charlie served 4 years in the Army Active reserves in Chicago, Illinois, while working for Dean Witter Securities before moving to California in 1969 where he continued working for several brokerage firms in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

In 1972, Charlie relocated to San Francisco where he was active in the gay community, especially in the nascent Grand Ducal Council of San Francisco, a camp organization dedicated to raising money for charitable purposes. Charlie was elected as Grand Duchess III (Court of the Yellow Rose) in 1975. The stepping down ceremony in 1976 was significant for being held at the Fairmont Hotel and being “crashed” by the cast and crew of Blazing Saddles which was filming in the city at that time.

Charlie returned to Milwaukee in 1979 and worked for Robert Baird Stock Brokerage until the deaths of his sister and mother. He returned to Sacramento in 1981 where he continued his affiliation with the Grand Ducal Council of San Francisco and the related organization in Sacramento, The Court of the Great Northwest Imperial Empire (CGNIE), also a volunteer-based charitable organization whose purpose is to support the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities.

Charlie was confirmed into the Episcopal Church on May 15, 1983, and remained a dedicated member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Sacramento for the rest of his life. Charlie was often the first to greet newcomers to the church. In recent years, after being confined to a wheelchair, Charlie would be seen racing across the church building to ensure everyone was welcomed to the congregation. During his time at St. Paul’s, he served as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Stewardship Chair, Head Usher, and choir member.

Charlie was a skilled and meticulous creator of hand crafts. His works included elaborate doll houses, ink stamped cards and stationery, cross-stitch, embroidery, plastic mesh creations, and especially knitting. He won 1st place at El Dorado County Fair and 2nd place at the California State Fair for an Afghan of non-repeating color blocks.

Charlie moved to Placerville in 2005 and returned to Sacramento in 2009 where he took up residence at St. Francis Manor, remaining there until his death. Charlie passed away Saturday February 8, 2025, at the age of 91 years, 3 months, and 22 days. He is survived by nephew and niece-in-law, John and Linda Stehman, and a grand-niece Carrie Stehman as well as many friends.

A funeral service celebrating Charlie’s life will be held on April 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1430 J Street, Sacramento, CA which will also be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.