Nellie Jean "Jean" Gares Ziegler, 90, of Defiance peacefully passed away on May 10, 2026, at Kingsbury Place in Defiance surrounded by her loved ones.

Jean was born May 31, 1935, in Tiffin Township to Herbert Rethmel Gares and Elsie Gladys (Smith) Gares. She was a graduate of Stryker High School. After High School she worked for the Defiance County Probate Court and the Common Pleas Court. She married the love of her life, Deputy Sheriff Doug Ziegler - who would pull her over with flashing lights to ask her out on a date. When Doug became Sheriff, Jean became the Matron of the jail and a Deputy Sheriff; she took great pride in those positions. She worked as a title researcher for Weaner-Zimmerman-Bacon-Yoder & Hubbard. She was elected Clerk of Courts, a position she proudly held until her retirement.

Jean was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church. She was a Lifetime member of the Defiance Co Fish & Game and the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association. In prior years she had been an active member of the Republican Committee. Jean enjoyed her time spent with friends at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) meetings and the Fairview Book Club.

Jean is survived by her children Scott (Lisa) Ziegler; Lynn (Gary) Bishop; Lisa (Tony) Hinger; and Lori (Ron) Garland; Grandchildren, Nathan Ziegler; Michael Ziegler; Joseph (Abby) Lewin-Ziegler; Nicholas (Jenna) Bishop; Hannah (Jake) Phillips; Bradley (Ann) Hinger; Meredith (Jennifer) Hinger; Elise Hinger; Adam (Sarah) Garland; Jake (Catherine) Garland; and 11 great-grandchildren. She leaves behind her brother, James L. (Carol) Gares and her sister, Becky (Dan Wright) Gares. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who were dear to her. She especially enjoyed her visits with her niece Sandy and her extended family Kathy Garland.

Jean was welcomed into heaven by her husband, Doug B. Ziegler; son Doug R. "Rusty" Ziegler; her parents, Herbert & Elsie Gares; her in-laws Don B. & Alma Ziegler; brother- in-law and his wife Don R. & Ara Jean Ziegler.

The family would like to acknowledge the excellent and loving care she received at the Kingsbury Place and with Elara Caring. They treated her with dignity, respect and loved her as their own family.

Visitation for Jean will be held on Saturday, May 30th, 2026 from 12:00 pm -2:00 pm Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm a the funeral home. Jean will be laid to rest in Evansport Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, 501 Washington Ave., Defiance, Ohio, Elara Caring Hospice Foundation, PO Box 58, Jackson, MI, 49204, or Kingsbury Place, 245 W. Rosewood Ave., Defiance, OH. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.