James V. Zeigler

James Volney Zeigler, age 76, of Greenville, Michigan, passed away peacefully in his sleep and surrounded by family on Sunday, August 17, 2025.

The son of Richard Verle & Lois Mary (Bakeman) Zeigler, he was born on July 11, 1949 in Greenville, Michigan.

James lived his life helping others, having spent several years teaching gymnastics and then went onto to a career as an activities director with the Michigan Department of Corrections, having worked at the Kinross, Deerfield, and Bellamy Creek correctional facilities, retiring after nearly 30 years of service.

When James retired in 2018, the Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections noted that no matter the prison he worked in, he was always expanded programs including his creation of the Creative Writing Workshop and the ever popular Chess program. In 2008, his creative writing program was recognized by then Governor Jennifer Granholm as one of the outstanding collaborative programs with Central Michigan University. He also worked closely with the University of Michigan Prisoner Art Exhibit for several years in addition to being a leader in developing fund raisers for the State Employees Combined Campaign.

James loved writing and was an accomplished author. He spent hours writing poems and haikus about anything that inspired him. James also had a love for the game of chess. He considered himself a chess buff and loved teaching others how to play. Above all, James was a caring husband, brother, father, and grandfather.

Just as usual,

he’s off in another world

Where he can’t be reached

~ grayt

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carol Lynn (West) Zeigler on November 28, 2021; and a brother, Thomas Zeigler.

Surviving are his daughters, Donna & Philip Delemater of Vidor, Texas, Michelle Raymor of Greenville, Michigan, and Saxony Zeigler of Vidor, Texas; his grandchildren, Trevor Avery, Marion & Zachary Drowley, Philip Delamater, Benjamin Delamater, Emily & Christian Raymor, Noah Delamater, and Thomas Delamater; two brothers, Kirk & Loretta Zeigler , and Steven & Sakorn Zeigler; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Graveside committal services are at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at River Ridge Cemetery, Belding, Michigan, with Rev. Roger Tahtinen, pastor of Smyrna Bible Church, officiating.

In honor of James’ love of the written word, contributions in his memory to either the Flat River Community Library in Greenville, Michigan or the Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library in Belding, Michigan would be appreciated.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign James’ online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, Michigan, 616-754-5638.