Donald D. Zimmerman

Donald Dean Zimmerman, age 81, Harvel farmer passed away at 8:34 AM on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Taylorville Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Hillsboro on November 22, 1935, the son of William Keiser and Kathryn (Barkema) Zimmerman. He married Martha Rosenberger on December 27, 1959 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

He graduated from Raymond High School in 1953. He attended Iowa State College for two years where he was a member of FarmHouse Fraternity. He transferred to the University of Illinois where he earned a B.S. Degree in General Agriculture in 1957. Following his graduation, he served in the US Army Medical Corp with six months of active duty and six years as a reservist, after which he returned to the farm.

He served 27 years as a director of the Morrisonville Farmer's Coop, King Township Trustee, and a long time commissioner for Union Drainage District #2 formed by his great grandfather. He was the Farm Manager for Kilton Farms, Inc. for 23 years and was a member of American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. In 1981, he was named a Master Farmer by Prairie Farmer Magazine. His farming operation included both grain and livestock.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Taylorville and served the church in many capacities, being most proud of his service as a member of the Board of Trustees and chairman of that group for several years. Don served as a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Vincent Memorial Hospital. He was a member of the Advisory Board of The Wesley Foundation at the University of Illinois. He loved to travel and enjoyed his family and especially his two grandchildren. He liked to say his hobby was "work" and he was an avid reader.

He is survived by his wife, Martha; son, Christopher K. (wife, Christina); two grandchildren, Mallory Hope and Grant William; brother, Roger W. (wife, Mary) of East Otis, MA; brother in law and sister in law, Don and Harriett Ellen Koch of Mt. Vernon, IL; two nieces, two nephews and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, John William Zimmerman; sister, Faith Marie Zimmerman; cousin, George Barkema who was reared in the Zimmerman home.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 from 4:00-8:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Taylorville. Burial will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 9:30 AM at the Harvel Cemetery in Harvel, with procession leaving at 9:15 AM from the Perfetti Funeral Home in Morrisonville. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Taylorville with Dr. Randall Perry officiating.

Memorials are suggested to Taylorville Memorial Hospital Foundation, Morrisonville Community Ambulance or The Wesley Foundation at the University of Illinois.

Perfetti Funeral Home in Morrisonville is in charge of arrangements.