WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
STANLEY EUGENE ZIMMERMAN, JR. age 80 of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Wednesday morning October 6, 2010 at his home while being cared for by his family as were his wishes.
He was born August 6, 1930 in Oak Park, Illinois a son of the late
Stanley E. and Amaza (Mitchell) Zimmerman.
Stan had resided in Sturgis most of his life and was a graduate of
Sturgis High School with the class of 1948. Stan came to Sturgis the
Chicago, Illinois and Valparaiso, Indiana areas.
On November 11, 1950 he married Barbara Jean Werkhaven daughter of the
late Arthur and Thelma Werkhaven. Barbara died December 8, 2009.
Stan retired from the City of Sturgis following many years of dedicated
employment. In his younger years he had been an accomplished saxophone
player, later he trained and played his pipe organs. He also worked for
the Sturgis Public Schools as a bus driver and maintenance worker. He
had owned and operated his own oil delivery truck for several years.
He was an Eagle Scout and a Boy Scout Leader and had attended many
Jamborees.
What everyone will remember most about him is his love of trains. He had
a huge model train layout in every home he owned. He loved to give
children rides on his Live Steam one eighth scale trains in his yard
across from Langrick Park. He traveled often with his fellow train
buffs, Carlton Pursley and Doug VanMeter to various rail yards to watch
trains come and go. Even as Dementia faded his mind, he could still tell
you about his adventures with trains.
He is survived by two daughters, Linda (Tod) Kershner of Sturgis and
Nancy (Gil) Perry of Fairplay, Colorado, two sons, Douglas (Brenda
Kelley) Zimmerman of Quincy and John (Judy) Zimmerman of Stuart,
Florida, seven grandchildren, Debra Singleton, Nikki Kershner, Heidi
Kershner, Tyler Kershner, Sara (Chris) Herrmann, Justin (Ashley)
Zimmerman and Lacy Good-Zimmerman, four great grandchildren, Storm
Singleton, Emma Zimmerman, Theo Herrmann and Amaza Herrmann, one great-great-granddaughter, two brothers, Terry (Barb) Zimmerman of Sturgis and Don (Linda) Zimmerman of Florida, one sister-in-law, Diana Adams of California and many nieces and nephews.
In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. The family will
receive friends from 10:00-11:00 A.M. Thursday, November 11, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis. A procession to Oak Lawn
Cemetery in Sturgis will follow the visitation where a graveside service
and burial of the ashes will take place. The Revs. Deb Johnson and
Robert Keim will officiate. The family invites friends and relatives to
join them back at the church following the service where a meal will be
served and a time to continue the sharing of memories and fellowship.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331 is entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr.
Zimmerman’s memory consider the First United Methodist Church, 200
Pleasant Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com
<http://www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com/> where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
