Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

March 7, 1925 - November 14, 2015

Zeiler, Donald L.

Donald was born March 7, 1925 in Pittsburgh, Pa and departed this earth November 14, 2015 in Washington, Pa. Don graduated early from Baldwin High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corp during his senior year. He was inducted on January 7, 1944 and was trained as a pilot. Don flew 38 missions with the 457th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force. As First Lieutenant he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while serving as Pilot of a B-17 airplane on bombing missions over Germany on August 30, October 28 and Dec 6, 1944. After serving as a flight instructor he returned home to study at the University of Pittsburgh where he eventually received his dental degree. Don returned to the Air Force as a Dental Instructor at Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh, NY. During this time he married Marie Crawford and they began their family. In 1954 Don and Marie returned to Pittsburgh, started a dental practice in Whitehall, and raised a family. For over 60 years Don and Marie lived near Baldwin High School and Don practiced dentistry at his office on Route 51. "Doctor Z" as he was affectionately called was as dedicated to his dental work as he was to his family. Don was preceded in death by his father, Harry, his mother, Rosalinda, his brother Jack, and his niece Linda. His beloved wife Marie, son Donald and spouse Nona, son Gordon, and his daughter Cara and spouse Jim survive him. Grandchildren include Kelli and Jim Davidson, Mark and Megan Zeiler, Drew and Christine Zeiler, Brian and Tracy Zeiler, Michael Zeiler, Annie Zeiler and Alex Garruba and spouse, Molly. Great grandchildren include Avery and Ethan Davidson and Harper Grace Zeiler. Dad was greatly respected and affectionately loved. We commend him to our loving Heavenly Father and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live even if he dies." John 11:25. Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Rd., Brentwood 15227, on Monday from 10 until time of service at Noon.