Bob Zimmerman, 97

Robert C. Zimmerman, 97, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2015 in Colon, Mich., where he’d lived for the last 30- plus years. Bob, known as “Red,” was born in Calumet City, Ill., on Feb. 6, 1918, to the late Herman and Mary (Mayme Jung) Zimmerman. He lived for 67 years in Calumet City, where he raised his family.

Bob is survived by five children, Mary Ann of Colon, Mich., Eve Sullivan of Chicago, Robert, Jr. (Tara) of Tampa, Fla., Michael J. (Michelle) of Colon, Mich., and Laurie of Schererville, Ind.; son-in-law Michael Quinlan of Lansing, Ill.; six grandchildren, Brandon (Kristen) Sullivan, Kelly, Cory and Michael Quinlan, Marisa and Robert C. Zimmerman III; and one great-grandchild, Nolan Sullivan.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Eva (Kowalisyn); his daughter, Patricia (Michael) Quinlan; brothers, Herbert, Alfred, Bernard, James and Leo; and sisters, Margaret and Anna.

Bob attended St. Joseph and St. Victor Schools, and graduated from T.F. North in 1936. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940; served in the Paratrooper Division and later served as a Machine Gun Platoon Sergeant in the 5th Division in the Pacific. He served in Vella LaVella, the Solomon Islands, Volcano Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. He earned a Good Conduct Medal, and a Purple Heart after being seriously wounded on Iwo Jima in 1945. Bob was very proud of his service. He worked at Inland Steel for 44 years, and retired in 1981.

Bob was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Moose, and Knights of Columbus, and numerous organizations for World War II veterans.

Visitation is scheduled from 2-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, with a service immediately afterwards, at Schipper Funeral Home in Colon. A funeral mass with be held on Wednesday, March 25 at 9 a.m. at St. Barbara Church in Colon. A private burial will take place in Assumption Cemetery in Glenwood, Ill.

Contributions can be made to the Colon American Legion Post 454, P.O. Box 251, Colon MI 49040.