Zimmerman. --- Joseph E., son of Christian and Rosa (Eicher) Zimmerman, was born near Chenoa, Ill., March 19, 1880; passed away Dec. 15, 1949; aged 69 y. 8 m. 26 d. When he was one year old his parents moved to Milford, Nebr., where he lived the remaining years of his life, except for fourteen ears spent at Wood River, Nebr. At the age of seventeen he accepted Christ as Saviour and united with the East Fairview Mennonite Church. On Jan. 8, 1899, he was married to Mary Yordy, who passed away March 27, 1929. Having been left homeless quite young, he was especially sympathetic toward homeless children, and they opened their home to 3 children, whom they adopted. In 1906 they moved to Wood River, where he was ordained to the ministry Aug. 27, 1906; he was a charter member of the congregation there. Later the responsibilities of bishop were added, and he was ordained to that office Dec. 9, 1916. In 1920, he was called to serve the East Fairview Church at Milford. On April 15, 1930, he was married to Phoebe Yeackley. Their home was opened to 2 grandchildren. Surviving are his wife 3 children (Milo, Seward, Nebr.), Myrtle-Mrs. William Bender and Stella-Mrs. Herman Reil, Milford, Nebr.), 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, one brother (Jake), 3 sisters (Mrs. Amos Jantzi, Mrs. Henry Stauffer, Mrs. L. O. Schlegel), 2 half sisters (Mrs. Lee Schweitzer and Mrs. Emery Schweitzer), and 4 stepbrothers (Menno, John, and William, all of Milford; and Perry, Aurora, Ohio). He was instrumental in ordaining 3 bishops, 12 ministers, and 12 deacons, all but three of these in Nebraska. He loved singing and frequently requested special hymns for the church service. It was characteristic of him to read verses of hymns as an introduction to his sermons. He was concerned about others, materially and spiritually, not thinking of self. He weighed making decisions. For forty-three years he served willingly and sacrificially in the ministry. Funeral services were conducted by Maurice Yoder and Perry Blosser, assisted by P. R. Kennel, W. A. Eicher, Joe Hershberger, Alvin Gascho, Edd Hershberger, Edward Diener, Edward Yoder, Lee Schlegel, Ezra Roth, George Miller, Sam Oswald, A. M. Miller, and Merle Bender. About one thousand people attended the service.
Zimmerman. --- Joseph E., son of Christian and Rosa (Eicher) Zimmerman, was born near Chenoa, Ill., March 19, 1880; passed away Dec. 15, 1949; aged 69 y. 8 m. 26 d. When he was one year old his parents moved to Milford, Nebr., where he lived the remaining years of his life, except for fourteen ears spent at Wood River, Nebr. At the age of seventeen he accepted Christ as Saviour and united with the East Fairview Mennonite Church. On Jan. 8, 1899, he was married to Mary Yordy, who passed away March 27, 1929. Having been left homeless quite young, he was especially sympathetic toward homeless children, and they opened their home to 3 children, whom they adopted. In 1906 they moved to Wood River, where he was ordained to the ministry Aug. 27, 1906; he was a charter member of the congregation there. Later the responsibilities of bishop were added, and he was ordained to that office Dec. 9, 1916. In 1920, he was called to serve the East Fairview Church at Milford. On April 15, 1930, he was married to Phoebe Yeackley. Their home was opened to 2 grandchildren. Surviving are his wife 3 children (Milo, Seward, Nebr.), Myrtle-Mrs. William Bender and Stella-Mrs. Herman Reil, Milford, Nebr.), 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, one brother (Jake), 3 sisters (Mrs. Amos Jantzi, Mrs. Henry Stauffer, Mrs. L. O. Schlegel), 2 half sisters (Mrs. Lee Schweitzer and Mrs. Emery Schweitzer), and 4 stepbrothers (Menno, John, and William, all of Milford; and Perry, Aurora, Ohio). He was instrumental in ordaining 3 bishops, 12 ministers, and 12 deacons, all but three of these in Nebraska. He loved singing and frequently requested special hymns for the church service. It was characteristic of him to read verses of hymns as an introduction to his sermons. He was concerned about others, materially and spiritually, not thinking of self. He weighed making decisions. For forty-three years he served willingly and sacrificially in the ministry. Funeral services were conducted by Maurice Yoder and Perry Blosser, assisted by P. R. Kennel, W. A. Eicher, Joe Hershberger, Alvin Gascho, Edd Hershberger, Edward Diener, Edward Yoder, Lee Schlegel, Ezra Roth, George Miller, Sam Oswald, A. M. Miller, and Merle Bender. About one thousand people attended the service.
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