Thomas Harold "Tom" Zeiler

Thomas "Tom" Harold Zeiler, age 60, of McClellandtown, PA., passed away on December 2, 2025. Tom was born on July 19, 1965 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was adopted at only a few months old from The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and raised by his parents, the late Donald Roy and Shirley Ann (Johnson) Zeiler. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald R. Zeiler II.

He grew up in Wexford, PA with his brother Dave (Sandy) Zeiler, of Virginia. Tom and Dave grew up in a loving home where their time was spent playing baseball, throwing the football, and watching Happy Days with their dad. They often spent time as a family camping at Lake Erie or the beach. Dave recalls a brotherly wrestling match while their parents were out, where he tackled Tom into the wall. They tried to cover it, but they couldn't trick their mom! Tom's love of dogs must have started as a child, because they always had one around!

Tom had two daughters. Even though he did not raise his first daughter, Seini "Jaz" (Nock) Reece, of Wake Forest, NC., he had the opportunity to know and build a relationship with her since she was 18 years old. They found out that they had a lot in common – the weirdest thing being that they ate M&M's by color! Jaz made him a grandfather, and he was so proud of his grandchildren. Her children are Donnie, Alana, and Rocky.

Tom had the privilege to raise his second daughter, Brittany L. Carter (Zeiler), of Louisburg, NC. Brittany was the greatest blessing to Tom, because she spent all of her childhood taking care of him. One of their favorite things to do together was night fishing, even though she was almost taken down by a catfish when she was 9 years old! Luckily, Tom snatched her up by the back of her jacket in the nick of time! Brittany also gave him two amazing grandchildren, Kahpri and KJ.

Even though his daughters didn't share a childhood with one another, they quickly realized all of the things they did share with their father! The three of them went to cosmetology school and did hair. Not to mention they all have beautiful dark curly hair! They also love the musician Sadé, value their personal space, and are a tad bit stubborn! However, they are big hearted and love animals!

Tom's insecurities could have eaten him alive, and he often stayed to himself. He was concerned about being a burden on anyone around him, and would rather go through hell alone instead of opening up or asking for help. He was known to his close friends as "TeZee", and would do anything to help out stranger!

In February of 2025, after 20 years of searching for his birth family, we got an email that would change everything for Tom! Brandon King, of Atlanta, GA. came bearing the best news – he and Tom shared a mother! Tom learned that the late Krista King (Palmiter), of Syracuse, NY., was sent to an unwed mother's home for the duration of her pregnancy where she gave birth to him. His birth name was Christopher Edward Palmiter.

Tom assumed that he was given up for adoption because he was unwanted. However, he discovered that he was given up for adoption unwillingly. He heard for the first time, after almost six decades of wondering, that he was, in fact, wanted, loved, prayed for, and thought of often by the woman who gave birth to him. We have yet to find his birth father, but for now, we are satisfied and grateful that he got to hear his brother's voice and see photos of his birth mother before he passed away.

The joy in his voice along with the happy tears he shed were not only a pivotal moment in his life, but a core memory for his daughter's and grandchildren, too!

There will be a memorial service for him at a later date.

If there is one thing we think Tom would like to leave the world, it would be his testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved God more than anyone or anything.