Rev. John Zimmerman

ZIMMERMAN

Rev. John Richard Zimmerman, age 73, passed away on July 6, 2013 at McClaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petosky, MI. Born in Wapakoneta, Ohio and raised in Fremont, Ohio. Graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1958, Capital University in 1962, received a Masters of Divinity degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 1966 and a Masters degree in Pastorial Care and Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1977. He served 3 congregations; Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Lexington, KY from 1966-1972, Zion Lutheran Church in Sandusky, OH 1972-1978 and Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Westerville, OH for 27 years until his retirement in 2005. John was a musician who played in the high school band, sang in the Capital University Chapel Choir, directed bell choirs and sang in church choirs all his life. Former member of Westerville Song Spinners and past President of the Westerville Area Ministerial Association. He loved to travel, swim and attend church potluck dinners. Following retirement, he and his wife spent winters on South Hutchinson Island in Jesen Beach, Florida and summers in their home on Trout Lake in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan. Survived by his wife of 46 years, Candi (Tollefson); daughters, Tamara (Tony) Murray of Bexley, OH, Deborah Zimmerman of Westerville and Rebecca (James) Rollo of Westerville; two precious grandsons, Carter John Anthony Murray and John Frederick Rollo; brothers, Rev. Robert Zimmerman of London, Ontario, Rev. James (Paula) Zimmerman of Rockbridge Baths, VA, Stephen (Linda) Zimmerman of East Lansing, MI; sister, Ruth Ann (Dennis) Brindley of Sault Ste. Marie, MI; sister-in-law, Cynthia Zimmerman of Hancock, MI; many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his infant daughter, Kari Marie, parents, Rev. E.E. and Ruth Zimmerman, brother, David Zimmerman and sister-in-law, Kathleen Zimmerman. Friends may call at the MORELAND FUNERAL HOME, 55 E, Schrock Road, Westerville, Friday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m..Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 100 E. Schrock Road, Westerville, Saturday at 11 a.m. with visitation 1 hour before the service, Pastor Merlyn Seitz, officiating. Interment Trout Lake Cemetery, Trout Lake, MI, Monday at 11 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the John Zimmerman Family Fund to be used for random acts of kindness in honor of his name, WARM (Westerville Area Resource Ministry), Capital University or Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Bexley, OH.