Ronald "Ron" Marvin Zimmerman

Born July 16, 1948 to Harold and Debbie Zimmerman, Ron was the 5th of 6 children, the third

son. Ron graduated from Ben Davis High School in 1966. He went on to earn his BA in 1971

from Milligan College in Tennessee, now Milligan University. It was during a summer session at

Milligan where he met Jan, his wife of 50+ years. They were married on December 26, 1970 in

Cincinnati, OH.

Ron had many different jobs in his life. He played guitar and sang in a band, worked at a gas

station and in construction, served in the Indiana National Guard, sold drive-in movie theater

speakers, worked for Cummins, and Allison Transmission. Ron spent the bulk of his career

working as a Master Scheduler at Allison Gas Turbines, later Rolls Royce. Ron worked at until

his struggle with Parkinson’s Disease made working too difficult. He enjoyed many years of

semi-retirement in the early days of the disease, time that allowed him to travel, spend time with

grandchildren and do lots of fishing.

An active member of Ben Davis Christian Church most of his life, Ron taught Sunday School,

was a youth leader, and served as an elder for many years. He was a compassionate man,

ready to help those who needed a listening ear and help in hard times.

The job he probably enjoyed most was as father and grandfather to his three daughters: Beth (Jack) Simpson, Jennifer (Daniel) Derksen and Joselyn (Jason) Thiemann and 12 grandchildren: Beth, Jack, Katie, Josh, Julia, Eli, and Ella Simpson, Jennifer, Daniel, Joey, Debbie, Jonny, and Amy Derksen, and Joselyn, Jason, Emma, Sebastian, and Avery Thiemann. Ron spent countless hours playing guitar and singing with his family, taking them on family vacations, swimming in the pool, and coaching softball. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Debbie and Harold, brothers Jim and Bob, and sister Judy Meranda. He is survived by sisters, Jan Harding and Joyce Blue, and large family that loved him.

A visitation for Ron will be held Friday, April 22, 2022 from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM at Ben Davis Christian Church, 701 S High School Rd. Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, followed by a celebration of life at 6:00 PM. The church will be live streaming the service at bdcc.org at 6:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made the Ron and Jan Zimmerman Scholarship Fund at Milligan University, https://www.milligan.edu/giving

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.familyfuneralcareindy.com for the Zimmerman family.