Jerry Dale Zimmer
VANDALIA — Jerry Dale Zimmer, 73, of Vandalia, passed away at 8:02 p.m., September 17, 2014 at his home.
He was born in Bonne Terre, Missouri on January 14, 1941, the son of the late Freeman A. and Esther M. Hopkins Zimmer.
On January 6, 1979, he married Marijane (Janie) Ball Pearson at the Doe Run Methodist Church with the Reverend Howard Miller officiating. She survives along with their five children, Jeffery of Troy, Missouri, Joel and wife Christie of Mexico, Missouri, John and wife, Cobi of Hannibal, Missouri, Beth Perret and husband, Steve of Jefferson City, Missouri and Anne Tuckley and husband, Paul of Columbia, Missouri. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jacob, Jeremiah, Josiah and Jordan Zimmer, Alex and Elizabeth Perret, William Tuckley, Meagan Sharpe, Nathan and Kayla Parcell.
He graduated from Doe Run High School and attended Junior College in Farmington. He continued his educationgraduatingfrom Prochnow School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. He and his family moved to Vandalia in 1964 where he opened Tower Loan office. He later joined Centerre Bank where he became President and CEO. He joined Laddonia State Bank in 1988. This bank was acquired by First National Bank which he retired from in 2007 as manager and vice-president of the Vandalia branch.
Jerry loved Vandalia and was active in community affairs. Through the years he served as president of Vandalia Merchants Assn., Khoury League, Jaycees, Odd Fellows Lodge, Optimist Club, Vandalia Area Fair, Industrial Development Authority and Vandalia Chamber of Commerce. In 2000 he was named the Citizen of the Year by the chamber.
He was an active member of Vandalia United Methodist Church where he held numerous offices including Treasurer and Chairman of the Council of Ministries.
His passions were his church, his family and his farm where he and the family enjoyed many outings together- picnicking, hunting and horse-back riding.
He and Janie loved to travel and especially enjoyed the tropics. Since his retirement they spent several weeks each winter in either Hawaii or Florida.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations are suggested to the Vandalia United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be made at www.bienhofffuneralhome.com.
Visitation will be Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Vandalia United Methodist Church.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, September 20, 2014, at the church with Reverend Helen McFarland and Al Wortman officiating. Private family interment services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bienhoff Funeral Home.
