Elmer V. Zimmerman

Elmer Vernon Zimmerman of Washington passed to the next life at 7:00 AM, Monday February 29, 2016, at his home at age 98 A½ following a short illness with his son and beloved Persian cat Danni at his side. Elmer was born August 31, 1917, in Holland's Grove (rural Washington) in Tazewell County the son of Andrew A. and Anina M. (Gassman) Zimmerman. Elmer married Pauline M. Scudder on August 28, 1943 at St. Mark's Lutheran parsonage in Washington. Pauline died March 1, 2012. He is survived by son Keith M. Zimmerman of Washington, an internationally known saxophonist and artist/clinician whose career he helped manage, and his beloved Persian grand cat, Danni. His parents and brother Earl also preceded him in death. A lifelong member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and resident of Washington Elmer lettered in 1933 and 34 in Washington High School football as offensive left guard and defensive left tackle graduating in 1935. He was the last living member of his class. Prior to that he drove his own model T truck at age 11 and worked from that age onward as a carpenter and roofer with his older brother Earl in the family business: A. A. Zimmerman and Sons Contracting. Also at age 11 he painted his grandfather's large barn. At age 12 he and his brother painted his grandfather, Washington Alderman John Zimmerman's, house in Washington on S. High Street. At age 18 he earned a diploma as an accomplished taxidermist. Between ages 19-26 he became a champion rifle, pistol and trap shooter and became a lifelong member of Taylor Lodge Masons #98 in 1941. Elmer began working for Caterpillar in East Peoria at age 19 in the shipping department and became foreman of the painting, erection, and shipping areas at age 24. He retired in 1978 after over 41 years with Cat. Following his retirement in 1978 he played competitive golf until 2011. Beginning during the depression when his family would go to Minnesota to build cabins and boats for a former Washington resident who was starting a resort business, he spent several weeks of most summers in northern Minnesota on fishing trips that added up to over 6 A½ years of his life. In 2003 he was recognized for catching the largest Walleye Pike in Minnesota that year. Despite being already past the age of 90, he was proud to be lead care giver for a number of years for Pauline enabling her to stay at home following an ongoing series of strokes until the final one that necessitated her move to a skilled care facility. Elmer was one of the oldest survivors of the 2013 Washington tornado though badly injured he was pleased to move back into a copy of his previous home in October, 2014 with his son and enjoyed planning the landscaping of the new house. Despite the fact that he no longer regularly drove, he was proud of getting a perfect score on his last behind the wheel driving test at age 98. Elmer and his late wife Pauline loved animals, especially cats, sharing their home with them throughout their lives together and continuing after Pauline's passing. In June, 2012, Elmer and his son approached the mayor and police chief of Washington with the idea of financing the establishment of Washington's first K-9 police officer by buying the police car, the dog, training, kennel, and establishing and an upkeep fund, all in the name of his wife Pauline through a $50,000 gift to the Washington Police Department. K-9 officer "Thor" began duty in March of 2013. Visitation for Elmer will be from 5 to 7 PM at St. Mark's Lutheran Church on Thursday, March 3 and one hour before the 11:00 AM funeral at his church, 200 S. Main Street, Washington, on Friday, March 4, 2016 with Pastors Dick Hanson and John Bates officiating. Memorials may be made to T.A.P.S. (Tazewell Animal Protection Society) or St. Mark's Lutheran Church Stained Glass Window Repair Fund. Notes of condolences may be sent using www.masonfuneralhomes.com.