John A. Zimmerman

John A. Zimmerman, age 84 of Defiance, peacefully passed away with family by his side on Friday, December 31, 2021.   
  
He was born on December 20, 1937 to Andrew and Mary (Singer) Zimmerman. He married Nance (Killion) Zimmerman in 1974. When she passed away in 2012 his life was never the same.

John was a life-long member of St. John's Catholic Church. He graduated from Ayersville High School in 1957 and greatly enjoyed being on the State Championship Basketball team. He also proudly served in the Ohio National Guard.

John was a dedicated farmer. In recent years, he would travel the countryside in his red pick-up truck helping farm in any way he could. He also was a volunteer fireman for South Richland Township and served as Fire Chief for 10 years. His favorite times were spent traveling with Nance, rooting for Notre Dame and Ohio State, working in his shop, and visiting with his many good friends. His hearty laugh was shared with anyone nearby. 

He will be sadly missed by his brothers Gerald and Paul (Susie) Zimmerman, sisters Mary Ann (Carrol) Tille, Theresa (Jim) Kile, and Carol Iler, Also Nance's nephew and niece, Lee and Lana Shingledecker and family share his loss. He leaves behind many other loving nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Nance, an infant brother, Louis, his sister, Alice  Pessefall, sister-in-law, Franci Zimmerman, and brother-in-law, Jim Iler. 
  
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Schaffer Funeral Home South, Lawson/Roessner Chapel (1753 S. Clinton St.) Due to CDC guidelines, if you are not fully vaccinated a mask is required to enter the funeral home, and our lounge area will remain closed. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 am at St. John's Catholic Church, with Fr. Dave Cirata officiating. His Mass will be live streamed on St. John's Catholic Church Facebook page. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery. 
  
Memorial donations can be made to St. John's Catholic Church, Trees of Life, P. Buckley Moss Society, or Heartland Hospice. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.
  
  

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