“I see trees of green, Red roses too, I see them bloom for me and you, And I think to myself, What a wonderful world….” Linda L Zeger, 77, born on September 13, 1946, loved this song.
“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day, When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May, I’d guess you’d say, What can make me feel this way… My girl, my girl, My girl, Talkin’ ‘bout my girl….” James C. Zeger, 77, born on July 26, 1946, loved the Temptations and his wife and our mother, Linda.
Linda and Jim were born and raised in Franklin County. They often said, they were born here, would live here, and would die here, and that they did.
Linda and Jim met as children, dated as teens, married on December 21, 1968 (fifty-five (55) years as of this December), had two daughters, Heather Zeger Reynosa (Husband: Dean and Daughter: Olivia) in 1972 and Holly Zeger Carroll (Husband: Adrian and Children: Avery and Hayden) in 1979.
Linda graduated from James Buchanan High School and Penn State – Main Campus. Jim graduated from the Mercersburg Academy and Juniata College. Rumor has it Jim and Linda attended concerts at Penn State during the late 60’s that included the Temptations.
Both Linda and Jim were teachers, Linda primarily taught 3rd grade at Mercersburg Elementary School in the Tuscarora School District and Jim primarily taught math from kindergarten to the college level at the Maryland Correctional Institute.
Linda was predeceased by her parents Fred B. And Dorothy J. (Kimmel) Nair. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence C. And Gertrude (Williams) Zeger.
From their childhood until death, both Linda and Jim were involved in community and volunteer activities and members of both the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Trinity United Church of Christ.
Instilled in Linda and Jim by their parents and passed onto their daughters and grandchildren, was the importance of family, service to others, and God.
Linda has one twin brother, Larry L. Nair (Wife: Diane and two sons, Aaron and Andrew) and Jim had had three siblings who predeceased him in death; two brothers, Dennis A. Zeger (Wife: Jeanne and their two children, Andrea and Michael) and “Chris” Zeger (two daughters: Mandy and Kathy), and one sister, Alice “Mitzi” M. (Zeger) Swailes (Husband: William “Bub” and their two children, Jami and Billie).
In the community, Jim and Linda were involved with the Mercersburg Area Jaycees, the Mercersburg Lions and Lioness Clubs (both Linda and Jim were bestowed with the Melvin Jones Award), the Mercersburg Women’s Club, Church committees and leadership roles at Trinity UCC, the Mercersburg Elementary PTO, the Mercersburg Academy, Easter Seals, the Franklin County Democratic Committee, volunteers for Meals on Wheels, the Tuscarora School Board, and simply, service to others when a need arose.
Linda and Jim loved their hometown Mercersburg with one of Jim’s proudest accomplishments, besides marrying Linda, his “First Lady of Mercersburg,” was having the privilege to serve as the Town’s Mayor.
Linda retired after 35 years of service to the Tuscarora School District. Jim retired next after 38 years with the State of Maryland. During their working life and retirement, Linda and Jim enjoyed travel and continued to learn and see new things. A family tradition that continues today is getting to Nags Head, NC, as much as possible, but ALWAYS over the 4th of July, and spending those warm sunny days filled with laughter with family and lifelong friends.
In addition, Jim, until he no longer could, tirelessly helped and gave to others. Linda was musical, an amazing cook, a hatpin collector, very creative, helped Jim with his volunteer projects and had those of her own, loved to read and learn new things. Both Linda and Jim appreciated and loved the Arts, including music, and instilled that love in their daughters. Another family tradition was the Mercersburg Academy Candlelight Service (Even this year, when attendance was not possible, the streaming service was played for them).
Much too soon following their retirement, in September of 2017, Jim was formally diagnosed with FTD (Frontal Temporal Dementia), a terminal illness that would eventually lead to his passing. However, until he could no more, Jim and Linda continued in their Mercersburg life, their volunteer life and simply “living.” Jim, as a lifelong Yankees fan and for his 70th Birthday, participated with his family in the Damon Runyon Cancer 5k where everyone walked Yankee Stadium which included a lap around the warning track on the field. Jim loved his family, fishing, the New York Yankees, Duke Basketball, the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Mercersburg (the town and his school). Linda cared for Jim before, during, and after COVID, learning in the Spring of 2022, that she had Melanoma.
Linda and Jim lived strong and fought heroically, but on December 28, 2023, Linda passed. On December 29, 2023, Jim, Linda’s lifelong “best friend”, knew that Linda was now at peace. Jim’s roommate on Church Street, and Johnstons Lane, and Cahoon’s Cottages each Summer, and ultimately Shook Home, was no longer physically here and it was time for him to join her once again.
Back to another favorite song of Jim’s…. “When you’re weary, Feeling small, When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all, I’m on your side…..” or the 2nd verse of Linda’s favorite, “I see skies of blue and clouds of white, bright blessed days….” Linda and Jim are together once again; their “story” evidencing a life well-lived.
To honor our Parents, a small private family burial will occur officiated by the Rev. Paul Galey, but in the Spring or early Summer of 2024, we will invite family and friends to gather in a Celebration of their lives.
In lieu of flowers, the family, again in the spirit of service to others is suggesting donations in Honor of Linda to: The Fendrick Library, 20 N. Main Street, Mercersburg, PA 17236, or Penn State University, Office of University Development (7th Floor Cancer “care cart”), 1249 Cocoa Ave., Suite 115, PO Box 852, Hershey, PA. 17033-0852. Donations in Honor of Jim to: Mercersburg Vibrancy Steering Committee (MVSC – Mercersburg Beautification), 13 South Main St, Mercersburg, PA 17236, or Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA. 19406.
On behalf of Linda and Jim Zeger, thank you to all of our dear family and friends.
Volunteer and continue in service to others, be kind to one another, and live (as tomorrow is not
promised).
Arrangements by Fries Funeral Home Inc., Mercersburg.
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