Virgil C. Zimmerman, 85, of Milford, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2020, at his home.
He was born on Feb. 18, 1935, in Milford, to Michael A. and Madeline Stieglitz Zimmerman Sr.
He was a lifetime Milford area resident and attended Milford public schools.
He was married on Aug. 4, 1954, in Elkhart, to Nancy J. Peffley, who preceded him on April 17, 2002; and then he was remarried on March 15, 2003, in Milford, to Doris E. Ellis Wolferman, who survives.
He was a retired farmer and former owner/operator of Zimmerman Grain & Lime Inc. in Milford for many years. He formerly worked for Bottled Gas in Milford, Ford Garage in Milford, Beer & Slabaugh in Nappanee and Elkhart Gravel.
He was a member of the Wawasee Community Bible Church & Kiwanis Club, both in Milford. He was active with Seedline Ministries in St. Cloud, Fla., where he wintered for many years. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling and gardening.
He is survived by wife, Doris Zimmerman, of Milford; five daughters: Rebecca (Duane) Hatfield, of Hutchinson, Kan.; Janette Holloway, of North Webster; Beverly (Robert) Martin, of Ladoga; Patricia Emel, of Fort Wayne; and Victoria (Danny) Sharp, of Milford; son, John (Peggy) Zimmerman, of Milford; three stepdaughters: Lana Cole, of Goshen; Beth (Bruce) Tillotson, of Nappanee; and Marla (Jim) Barnes, of Stoneville, N.C.; 26 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; sister, Mary (Jack) Gerber, of Paulding, Ohio; two brothers: Ray (Diane) Zimmerman, of Lehi, Utah; and Mike (Carolyn) Zimmerman Jr., of Milford; sister-in-law, Joann Zimmerman, of Milford.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; granddaughter, Heather Emel; great-grandson, Benjamin Sharp; two brothers: George and Melvin Zimmerman; four sons-in-law: Mark Emel, R.J. Holloway, David Bess, and Ed Polson; stepdaughter, Nancy Tillotson; and stepson-in-law, Greg Cole.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, at Wawasee Community Bible Church, 2035 E. 1300N, Milford. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 28 in the church with Pastors Tom Speicher and Josh Weiland officiating. Social distancing practices will be required. Burial will take place in the Milford Cemetery. Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, is in charge of all arrangements.
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Memorials to the American Cancer Society, 130 Red Coach Dr., Mishawaka, IN 46545; National Kidney Foundation of Indiana, 911 E. 86th St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240; or to the donor’s choice.
To send condolences to the family in memory of Virgil Zimmerman, visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
