James L. Zimmerman, 88, of Gibson City, Illinois, peacefully passed away at home in Gibson City on Friday (Sept. 3, 2021).
Burial with military honors will be at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, North Hanover, New Jersey.
Jim was born March 30, 1933 in Dallas, Texas, a son of Leslie and Ethel Lee Cline Zimmerman. Jim moved with his family from Dallas to Gibson City, where he attended Gibson City schools and graduated in 1950.
He married Frances Mary Nicholson on June 25, 1955, in Angola, Indiana. She passed away on Aug. 1, 2001. He then married Martha L. Cabbage on May 25, 2002. She passed away on Feb. 17, 2021.
He has five children Laura (Richard) Follmer of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and her children Hans, Eric and Yvonne; James William Zimmerman (deceased) and his children, James D. and Amanda. Devon Punchello of Burlington, New Jersey and her children, Corinne, Alexander and Joseph; Kimberley Zimmerman of Burlington and her children Chauntil, Brandon and Shannon whom he raised and Erin (Todd) Viereck of Burlington and her children Zachary, Rachel and Robyn; six great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mary Lee Henson of Gibson City, Sonja Shubert of Gibson City and Mikki Benz of Colfax.
He was preceded in death by two sons, James Frederick Zimmerman in infancy and James William Zimmerman.
Jim was a distinguished military veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He started as an airplane engine mechanic and flight instructor. He ended his military career as a flight engineer flying the C124 Globemaster, C130 Hercules and the C141 Starlifter cargo airplanes. He followed his military career as an expert heavy-equipment operator and supervisor of the Roads and Grounds Division at the Fort Dix Military Installation. He was a true tradesman and craftsman. Jim also was a dedicated member of the Gibson City Masonic Lodge 733 AF&AM and an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attending the North Hanover, N.J., and Rantoul wards. He very much enjoyed conversation with company and family, whether providing advice, sharing stories of his many life experiences or simply spending time together.
Jim was genuine and generous, a husband, father and family man. He will be dearly missed.
Champaign News Gazette
Burial with military honors will be at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, North Hanover, New Jersey.
Jim was born March 30, 1933 in Dallas, Texas, a son of Leslie and Ethel Lee Cline Zimmerman. Jim moved with his family from Dallas to Gibson City, where he attended Gibson City schools and graduated in 1950.
He married Frances Mary Nicholson on June 25, 1955, in Angola, Indiana. She passed away on Aug. 1, 2001. He then married Martha L. Cabbage on May 25, 2002. She passed away on Feb. 17, 2021.
He has five children Laura (Richard) Follmer of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and her children Hans, Eric and Yvonne; James William Zimmerman (deceased) and his children, James D. and Amanda. Devon Punchello of Burlington, New Jersey and her children, Corinne, Alexander and Joseph; Kimberley Zimmerman of Burlington and her children Chauntil, Brandon and Shannon whom he raised and Erin (Todd) Viereck of Burlington and her children Zachary, Rachel and Robyn; six great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mary Lee Henson of Gibson City, Sonja Shubert of Gibson City and Mikki Benz of Colfax.
He was preceded in death by two sons, James Frederick Zimmerman in infancy and James William Zimmerman.
Jim was a distinguished military veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He started as an airplane engine mechanic and flight instructor. He ended his military career as a flight engineer flying the C124 Globemaster, C130 Hercules and the C141 Starlifter cargo airplanes. He followed his military career as an expert heavy-equipment operator and supervisor of the Roads and Grounds Division at the Fort Dix Military Installation. He was a true tradesman and craftsman. Jim also was a dedicated member of the Gibson City Masonic Lodge 733 AF&AM and an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attending the North Hanover, N.J., and Rantoul wards. He very much enjoyed conversation with company and family, whether providing advice, sharing stories of his many life experiences or simply spending time together.
Jim was genuine and generous, a husband, father and family man. He will be dearly missed.
Champaign News Gazette
James L. Zimmerman, 88, of Gibson City, Illinois, peacefully passed away at home in Gibson City on Friday (Sept. 3, 2021).
Burial with military honors will be at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, North Hanover, New Jersey.
Jim was born March 30, 1933 in Dallas, Texas, a son of Leslie and Ethel Lee Cline Zimmerman. Jim moved with his family from Dallas to Gibson City, where he attended Gibson City schools and graduated in 1950.
He married Frances Mary Nicholson on June 25, 1955, in Angola, Indiana. She passed away on Aug. 1, 2001. He then married Martha L. Cabbage on May 25, 2002. She passed away on Feb. 17, 2021.
He has five children Laura (Richard) Follmer of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and her children Hans, Eric and Yvonne; James William Zimmerman (deceased) and his children, James D. and Amanda. Devon Punchello of Burlington, New Jersey and her children, Corinne, Alexander and Joseph; Kimberley Zimmerman of Burlington and her children Chauntil, Brandon and Shannon whom he raised and Erin (Todd) Viereck of Burlington and her children Zachary, Rachel and Robyn; six great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mary Lee Henson of Gibson City, Sonja Shubert of Gibson City and Mikki Benz of Colfax.
He was preceded in death by two sons, James Frederick Zimmerman in infancy and James William Zimmerman.
Jim was a distinguished military veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He started as an airplane engine mechanic and flight instructor. He ended his military career as a flight engineer flying the C124 Globemaster, C130 Hercules and the C141 Starlifter cargo airplanes. He followed his military career as an expert heavy-equipment operator and supervisor of the Roads and Grounds Division at the Fort Dix Military Installation. He was a true tradesman and craftsman. Jim also was a dedicated member of the Gibson City Masonic Lodge 733 AF&AM and an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attending the North Hanover, N.J., and Rantoul wards. He very much enjoyed conversation with company and family, whether providing advice, sharing stories of his many life experiences or simply spending time together.
Jim was genuine and generous, a husband, father and family man. He will be dearly missed.
Champaign News Gazette
Burial with military honors will be at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, North Hanover, New Jersey.
Jim was born March 30, 1933 in Dallas, Texas, a son of Leslie and Ethel Lee Cline Zimmerman. Jim moved with his family from Dallas to Gibson City, where he attended Gibson City schools and graduated in 1950.
He married Frances Mary Nicholson on June 25, 1955, in Angola, Indiana. She passed away on Aug. 1, 2001. He then married Martha L. Cabbage on May 25, 2002. She passed away on Feb. 17, 2021.
He has five children Laura (Richard) Follmer of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and her children Hans, Eric and Yvonne; James William Zimmerman (deceased) and his children, James D. and Amanda. Devon Punchello of Burlington, New Jersey and her children, Corinne, Alexander and Joseph; Kimberley Zimmerman of Burlington and her children Chauntil, Brandon and Shannon whom he raised and Erin (Todd) Viereck of Burlington and her children Zachary, Rachel and Robyn; six great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mary Lee Henson of Gibson City, Sonja Shubert of Gibson City and Mikki Benz of Colfax.
He was preceded in death by two sons, James Frederick Zimmerman in infancy and James William Zimmerman.
Jim was a distinguished military veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He started as an airplane engine mechanic and flight instructor. He ended his military career as a flight engineer flying the C124 Globemaster, C130 Hercules and the C141 Starlifter cargo airplanes. He followed his military career as an expert heavy-equipment operator and supervisor of the Roads and Grounds Division at the Fort Dix Military Installation. He was a true tradesman and craftsman. Jim also was a dedicated member of the Gibson City Masonic Lodge 733 AF&AM and an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attending the North Hanover, N.J., and Rantoul wards. He very much enjoyed conversation with company and family, whether providing advice, sharing stories of his many life experiences or simply spending time together.
Jim was genuine and generous, a husband, father and family man. He will be dearly missed.
Champaign News Gazette
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