01/10/2019

Obituary for James R. Zettler

Licensed Funeral Director and Chairman, Father of Thomas Zettler, President of Zettler Funeral Home Inc.

James R. Zettler, age 95 of Hamilton passed away on Monday, January 7, 2019. He was born in Hamilton, Ohio on April 13, 1923 the son of George and Kathryn (Nieberlein) Zettler. Jim was a 1940 graduate of Hamilton Catholic High School and a 1941 graduate of the Cincinnati College of Embalming. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII. On February 23, 1943 in Hamilton, Ohio he married Marian L. Brandhoff and she preceded him in death on April 2, 2011. Jim was an active member of St. Ann Church. Along with his wife Marian, he established the Zettler Funeral Home in 1951. He was a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for 72 years.

Jim was a devoted husband to Marian for 68 years. He is survived by eight children: James R. (Anne) Zettler Jr., Karen (Richard) Bell, Nancy (Joseph) Morelli, Jack A. Zettler (Dorothy Weiser), Mary Lou (Greg) Hartman, Patti (Tony) Walker, Thomas G. (Christen) Zettler, and Connie (Jeffrey) Turner. He also is survived by 23 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and a brother, Dr. Richard Zettler. 

The family wishes to express our thanks to the caregivers at Hospice for the loving and compassionate care they provided through Jim’s final days. A special thank you goes to Edie who provided invaluable help to the family in Jim’s final months.

Prayers will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the Zettler Funeral Home, 2646 Pleasant Ave. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Ann Church with Fr. Larry Tharp celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.  The family requests any donations to Hospice of Hamilton, St. Ann Church, or Badin High School in lieu of flowers. Online register book available at www.zettlerfuneralhome.com