John Joseph Zimmerman, age 96, died on January 30, 2023, at the Gove County Long Term Care, Quinter, Kansas, where he has resided for the last five years. He was born on August 22, 1926, in rural Gove County the son of Ben and Mary (Wildeman) Zimmerman.
John graduated from Park High School and then served in the United States Army. He was a member of the Grainfield American Legion, Knights of Columbus and the Gove Lions Club.
On May 26, 1952, John was united in marriage with Cecelia Engel at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Grainfield. John worked for Walt’s Repair (Walt Hein) of Grainfield. John and Cecelia were the owners and operators of J&C Grocery in Gove, Kansas for many years. John also worked over 20 years as the building superintendent for the Gove County Court House in Gove and assisted as a dispatcher for the Gove Count Sheriff’s Departments and as a bailiff. John and Cecelia visited many wonderful places in their camper and were members of the Hackberry Hoppers camping club.
John is survived by five children, Rita (Randall) Hargitt of Quinter, Helen Mary Varner of Wichita, Patty (Lory) Postoak of Wichita, Danny (Carol) Zimmerman of Maryville, Missouri, and Terry (Mary) Zimmerman of Cypress, Texas. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; his siblings, Pauline Younker of Munjor, Angie Hausheer of Bentonville, Arkansas and Ralph and J.D. Zimmerman, both of Oakley and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Cecelia and daughter Kathleen Jacoby. He was also preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Leo and Pete, and sisters, Genevieve Stefan and Alberta Walt.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at the St. Agnes Catholic Church on Saturday, February 4, 2023, 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow in the Grainfield Cemetery. A rosary and vigil will be held at the St. Agnes Youth Center on Friday, February 3, 2023, beginning at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will begin that evening at 6:00.
Memorial contributions may be given to the St. Agnes Catholic Church, Grainfield.
Memories and words of support may be left for the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.