Zachary “Zakk” Ziegler passed away peacefully at his home in Waynesburg, PA on August 19th, 2026. He was 34 years old.

Zakk was driven by an appreciation of art in all its forms. He was a lifelong movie fan; he could talk endlessly about David Lynch or Werner Herzog, but loved 80s slasher movies just as much, as evidenced by his vast collection of 80s VHS tapes. Because he was such a fan of analog mediums, he watched many of the movies on a small, 16-inch black and white TV from the 1970s that he was always fiddling with to improve the picture.

He was a true autodidact who read voraciously. He would devour a book in days – everything from Stephen King to Charles Bukowski to Raymond Carver. He was proud of his hand-crafted bookshelves filled with both classics and pulp fiction. One of his favorite ways to spend time was reading a book in his favorite chair while he listened to his beloved record collection.

Music was one of Zakk’s deepest interests; both listening and playing. The list of his favorite bands is vast and varied, including Nick Cave, Black Flag, Talking Heads, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, and obscure movie soundtracks. Additionally, Zakk made his own music, which included guitar loops, synthesizer samples, and found audio. He was a talented self-taught musician. His collection of instruments, recording equipment, and samplers gave him a carefully curated environment in which he could express himself. He was always eager to share a new album he discovered or an old album he was revisiting.

Zakk loved collecting ephemera. In his house he was surrounded by his collections: Dungeons & Dragons dice, horror movie playing cards, furniture that he painted, music and art posters. These collections brought him joy.

His main passion was painting. He was self-taught and his output was extraordinary in both quantity and quality: portraits, scenes of daily life, studies of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs, combinations of poetry and painting. He shared his love of art through the Greene County Parks and Recreation, where he taught schoolchildren painting basics and color theory. He was an excellent teacher who gave his students latitude to create whatever they were interested in, mirroring his openness and endless curiosity. Zakk had an exhibition of his painting at a coffee shop in the South Side Flats of Pittsburgh several years ago. He had a thriving art business and sold art both online and at local art fairs and festivals. His skill and talent as an artist brought him commissions and personal requests from those who connected with his art. He surrounded himself with art.

Zakk kept many journals starting as a young teen. In one of his journals he wrote a list of things he wanted to accomplish in his life; high on his list was to become a father to a son and to be a great dad. Zakk accomplished this in the biggest way possible – his greatest achievement was being an amazing father to his six-year-old son, Lucien. They were best friends and went on amazing adventures together: swimming at the quarry on hot summer days, hikes along the Ten Mile Creek, playing disc golf together (which had become their new passion), and bouncing on the trampoline. Zakk truly blossomed as Lucien’s father and his eyes would light up when he talked about Lu – his genuine love for Lucien was absolute. He was a patient, loving, caring father who painted with him, played music for and with him, followed his interests and found joy in his day to day care.

Zakk leaves behind many who are heartbroken and will miss him more than words can describe, including his mother Melissa, who loved him deeply; his aunt Kim and uncle Luke, cousin Joanne, cousins Dylan and Michael (Dani), and many other family members and friends. He also leaves behind Brittney, Lucien’s mother and Zakk’s confidant, friend, and supporter through life. He is also survived by his loving grandmother, Josephine.

The family has started a fund to support the care and needs of Lucien, who was the brightest light in his life. To learn more about this, please email his aunt Kim at: kprendergast01@gmail.com.

All arrangements are private and entrusted to Yoskovich Funeral Home, Inc.