Eldon Phillip "Zimmy" Zimmerman

Eldon Phillip “Zimmy” Zimmerman, 89, of Geneseo, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and family on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at Woodridge Retirement Village, where they were residing.  A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, February 1st, at Grace United Methodist Church, Geneseo.  Reverend Melva England will officiate.  A visitation for Zimmy will be held two hours prior to the services (9:30-11:30 a.m.) at the church.  Cremation rites have been accorded by Vandemore Crematory, Geneseo, and a private inurnment will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo.  Memorials may be made to the Grace United Church Mission Fund or the Geneseo Park District Swimming Pool Fund. Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Eldon was born on July 7, 1926, in Atkinson, IL, the son of Paul “Buffy” and Clara (Ohlert) Zimmerman. He was united in marriage to Betty Stotmeister in July 1947 in Geneseo.  He proudly served in the US Navy during WWII.  He was also a Commander in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  Eldon and Betty were married for 68 years and had three daughters.  He owned his own business and was a Mason Plastering contractor until his retirement.  He learned this trade from his father “Buffy” also a Mason contractor.

Eldon and his wife, Betty were part of the Geneseo Boat Club, doing water ski shows in the 1950’s around the area.  He and his wife did many home renovations, turning a dairy barn into a family home.  He was also part owner of the Greener Pastures Christian bookstore in Geneseo with his daughters.  After retirement, he gave freely of his time and talents to Men for Missions, traveling to South Chicago, Venezuela, Spain, and Jamaica to help build churches and schools to impoverished areas.  Many years were spent boating on the Mississippi River with family and friends.  Zimmy loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and winters in Hawaii.  He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He loved the Lord and was a great prayer warrior.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters, Francie (Michael) Kolb of Moline, IL, Paula (Timothy) Ziegler of Rock Island, IL, and Lisa (Kirk) Hodgson of Geneseo,; grandchildren, Brandon (Janeen) Kolb of Effingham, IL, Nikki (Michael) Porter of Coal Valley, IL, Adam (Megan) Ziegler of Rock Island, Aaron (Courtney) Ziegler of Rock Island, Jami (Justin) Burbridge of Geneseo, Erica (Eric) Walker of Geneseo, and Cameron Hodgson of Geneseo, and 24 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

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