Franci Zimmerman
Mary 'Franci' Zimmerman, 70, of Defiance passed away Friday, February 10th, 2017 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo.
She was born in Delaware Township Defiance County, OH on May 20, 1946. She was the daughter of the late Howard and Anne (Hesselschwardt) Shininger.
Franci graduated from Fairview High School in 1964 and worked for Lincoln Life in Ft. Wayne for 5 years. She was active in Young Adult Youth Groups where she met Gerald (Jerry) A. Zimmerman, whom she married at St. Stephen's The Bend on April 12, 1969. She became a mother and farm wife for many years. She was active in St. John Catholic Church and School in Defiance in many different programs right up to her death, including RCIA, Women's Renew, Early Childhood and Ministry Scheduling. She was also active in the community on Defiance YMCA Board and as a 4-H advisor. In about 1975 she started a baby-sitting service where she nurtured many area children until 2012. She helped countless charities and individuals in time of need.
She leaves behind her loving husband of 47 years, Gerald; four children, Rebecca (Mark) Pogoreski of Hudson, Michigan; Christine (Douglas) Shafer of Shelbyville, Michigan; Andrew (Audra) Zimmerman of Hicksville; Aaron (Amanda) Zimmerman of Defiance. Also surviving are her siblings, Sue (John) Holcombe of New Mexico;
sister-in-law Bonnie Shininger, Indiana; Joe (Doris) Shininger of Cleveland; Howard 'Tom' (Gloria) Shininger of Sherwood; and Andy (Penny) Shininger of Ney.
Franci is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Evelyn and David Calvo;, David and Matt Pogoreski; Zadok, Zephan and Zoey Shafer; Louis and Lacie Zimmerman and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Peter (Bonnie) Shininger.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Defiance St. John Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 14th, with Father Eric Mueller officiating.
Visitation is Monday 2-8 p.m. and Tuesday 9-10 a.m. at Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home 1753 S. Clinton St. Defiance.
A Scripture Service will be at 7:00 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Riverview Memory Gardens.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations to Crisis Pregnancy Center or St. John Catholic Church. Condolences may be shared at www.lawsonroessner.com.
Visitation
FEB
14.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (EST)
Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home
1753 S. Clinton St.
Defiance, OH, 43512
Service
FEB
14.
11:00 AM (EST)
St. John Catholic
510 Jackson Ave.
Defiance, OH, 43512
Visitation
FEB
20.
2:00 PM - 8:00 PM (EST)
Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home
1753 S. Clinton St.
Defiance, OH, 43512
