Zimmerman, John (1949 - 2020)

ZIMMERMAN, SCHUMACHER, HARTWELL, MACAULAY, HOLLANDER, GAUL

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 1/28/2020 at 14:56:30

Name of deceased: John Bernard Zimmerman

Aged: 70 yrs, 4 mo, 14 days

Residence: Westphalia, Shelby County, IA

Born: Sep. 1, 1949; Mercy Hospital, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, IA

Died: Jan. 15, 2020; Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020; St. Boniface Catholic Church, Westphalia, IA; burial was in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, Westphalia, IA

Survived by: Wife of 46 years, Bonnie, of Westphalia, IA; children, Brad (spouse, Kim) of Smithville, MO, Sarah (spouse, Dan) Schumacher of Harlan, IA, Danny (spouse, Jessica) of Lincoln, NE and Julie (spouse, Eric) Hartwell of Olathe, KS; grandchildren, Zoe Zimmerman, Madison and Austin Schumacher, Alyssa and Hannah Zimmerman and James Hartwell; siblings, Maribeth Zimmerman, Rae Zimmerman, Rita Macaulay, Paul (spouse, Arlene) Zimmerman, Sr. Jodelle Zimmerman and Phil (spouse, Sharyn) Zimmerman; sister-in-law, Eunice Hollander; aunts, Ann Gaul, Angie Gaul, and Sr. Irene Zimmerman; uncle, Dewie Gaul; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Bernard and Valerie (nee Gaul) Zimmerman; infant brother, Thomas James; brothers-in-law, Wilfred Macaulay and Duane Hollander

Education: Attended Shelby Public School, Shelby County, IA, and then attended St. Boniface Catholic grade school, graduating with the Westphalia-Defiance High School, Class of 1967

Religious affiliation: Baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Avoca, IA

Military service: no information provided

Marriage: Bonnie Hollander; Feb. 3, 1973; Zion Lutheran Church, Denison, IA

Employment: Farmed in his early years, and after his marriage, he served as a Westphalia, IA city councilman and later as mayor, as well as managing the water department. He was instrumental in the city hooking onto rural water. In Jan. 1975, he started as a letter carrier for the Harlan (IA) post office. In 1979, he acquired farmland from an uncle and he and Bonnie moved to their present home and began farming in addition to his postal duties. Then, in Sep. 2015, he suffered a traumatic brain injury from a fall, which forced him to retire in March 2017. In June of 2017 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and went on chemotherapy for the next 2 years. He continued to farm with the help of family, neighbors and friends at harvest time.

Hobbies/Interests: Was a member of the Huff n Puffers Bike Club and rode in 17 RAGBRAIs (the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa); enjoyed his daily ritual of going to the Klub House for morning coffee and conversation; loved sports competition and attended his children’s and grandchildren’s games; was a fan of the Royals and the Chiefs

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; pauleyjones.com