Ottwin George Ziebell

Ottwin George Ziebell was born on October 16, 1931, to Paul and Augusta Held Ziebell
in Germany. He passed away on August 2, 2026, at the age of 94, at Lakebridge
Nursing Home in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Ottwin was only eight years old when World War II began. These were difficult years for
the people of Germany. He was 15 years old when the war ended. During that time, he
suffered the loss of his father and his older brother, Fredrick Ziebell, who was killed in
the line of duty.

By trade, Ottwin was a firebrick layer and worked with Mr. Andra at Lux & amp; Company in
Germany. The company specialized in constructing cement factories, large electrical
turbines, and sugar factories. His work took him to many countries throughout his
career.

In 1991, he retired and relocated to The Villages, Florida. His son, Markus Albert
Ziebell, discovered the area while visiting friends and believed it would be a wonderful
place for his parents to live.
While living in The Villages, Ottwin developed a love for golf, ballroom dancing, traveling
by golf cart, and spending time with friends and neighbors from across the country. He
was instrumental in establishing a Men's Prayer Fellowship at First Christian Church of
Lady Lake, where he faithfully attended for 25 years.
When he was not playing golf, Ottwin enjoyed checking on friends, cooking, and
listening to German music. He was also a devoted fan of Elvis Presley and fondly
recalled knowing Elvis while he was stationed in Germany during his military service.
After moving to the United States, Ottwin visited Graceland in memory of his friend.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Hanna Gebert Ziebell; his brother, Fredrick
Ziebell; his sisters, Paula Inge Zerbe of Offenbach, Germany and Hanna Wipper of
Leipzig, Germany; his sisters-in-law, Ruth Leibfritz and Gerda Gebert; and his brothers-
in-law, Horst Gebert and Johannes Gebert.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Phyllis Whitehead Ziebell of The Villages,
Florida; his son, Markus Albert Ziebell (Regina) of Germany; his stepsons, Thomas
Todd Blair (Missy) of Fripp Island, South Carolina, and Timothy Damon Blair of Johnson
City, Tennessee; his brothers-in-law, Bill Greer (Karen) and Roger Greer, both of
Johnson City, Tennessee; his sisters-in-law, Liesel Gebert of Germany and Linda
Malone (Ronnie) of Jonesborough, Tennessee; his nephews, Daniel Leibfriz (Ester) and
family, and Jurgen Zerbe of Germany; his cousin, Elizabeth Lechner of Germany; four
grandchildren, Eduard Sabelfeld (Coralie), Christina Luckfeldt (Thorsten), Rebekah
Jackson, and Brandon Blair; three great-grandchildren, Oscar, Clara, and Mathilda
Sabelfeld; as well as many other beloved nieces and nephews in Germany and the
United States.

His remains will be taken to Florida, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved first
wife, Hanna Gebert Ziebell.

Jonesborough Funeral Home & Cremation Servies
1776 Hwy. 11-E, Jonesborough, TN, 423-722-8888