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Walter M. Zimmerman, 79, of Ephrata, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2013, at Lincoln Christian Home.

He was born in Ephrata on April 6, 1934, to the late Aaron and Anna (Martin) Zimmerman and was the husband of Esther M. (Troxel) Zimmerman with whom he shared 58 years of marriage.

Walter was a member of the Hammer Creek Mennonite Church. He served in the United States Army for 3 years, stationed in Germany. He returned home and married Esther M. Troxel in 1955. Walter sold ice cream for the former Cloister Dairies for a number of years before returning to farming. He also worked for Plain and Fancy Egg Ranch in Elizabethtown before buying his own truck and started hauling freight. He retired after driving bus for Conestoga Tours.


In addition to his wife, he is survived by 4 sons, Walter Jr., husband of Marlene (Kreider) Zimmerman of Bradford, Dennis, husband of Julie (Snyder) Zimmerman of Beaver Springs, Carl, husband of Martha (Hoover) Zimmerman of Lititz, Barry Zimmerman of Manheim; a daughter, Cindy, wife of Brian Holden of Glassboro, NJ; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; a brother, Ivan; 4 sisters, Irene, Edith, Anna and Marie.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Frank, Lloyd, Elmer and Edward and a sister, Dorothy.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, November 21, from 6 to 8 pm, at the Hammer Creek Mennonite Church, 590 Hammer Creek Road, Lititz. An additional viewing will be held on Friday, from 9 to 10 am, followed by his funeral service at 10 am, with Rev. Leonard Rutt, Rev. Fred Heller and Rev. Mervin Gingrich officiating. Interment will take place in the Weaverland Old Order Mennonite Church Cemetery.


Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.

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