Earl W. Zimmerman

Earl W. Zimmerman, 94, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Earl was born on November 27, 1929 in Van Wert, Ohio, a son of the late Ervin and Ethel (Allen) Zimmerman. He graduated from Van Wert High School, Van Wert, Ohio. Earl married his high school sweetheart, Bernice I. Beck of Van Wert on July 1, 1951. Together, they shared over 60 years of marriage. He served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953 and was a member of the 47th Division of the U.S. Army Marching Band. He was a signalman for the ConRail Railroad for 43 years and retired in 1991. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, Sol D. Bayless Lodge No. 359, Mizpah Shrine, Royal Order of Jesters, and American Legion Post 47. He was a 70 year member of the Masonic Shrine and Concert Band since 1953 and Director of the Shrine Band and Orchestra. He also directed the “Earl Zimmerman Orchestra” and the “EZ Dixieland Dance Band” playing at different social events for “your dancing pleasure”, his logo. Earl had a love for his trumpet and was very passionate about his music. Earl had a tremendous love and commitment and dedication to his family!! Earl will always be remembered as a devoted husband, fun-loving father and grand-father also lovingly known as our “Pope”. In his retirement, he spent his free time playing golf and woodworking in his garage. Much of his time was spent worshipping the sun and Grandpa “Pope” loved babysitting his grandchildren. Surviving family include his children, Debra (Matthew) VanMeeter, Thomas Earl Zimmerman, Vicki (Rusty) Malaise, and Judy Lerch; grandchildren, Lexie (Matthew) Holbrook, Tristan (Kailei) Lerch, Hanna, Dustin, and Allie Malaise, and Jenna and Kayla VanMeeter; and great-granddaughter, Eden Holbrook. Besides his parents, he was preceded in passing by his wife, Bernice I. (Beck) Zimmerman; son-in-law, Tracey Lerch; sister, Lois Ann Zimmerman; and brother, Gerhardt Zimmermann. A Masonic service and funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm on Monday, August 5, 2024 at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 6750 Covington Road, Fort Wayne with visitation beginning at 12:00 pm. Military rites will follow the Masonic and funeral services. Entombment will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne. Memorials in Earl's memory may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Condolences and memories of Earl may be left online at www.greenlawnmpfh.com