Gerry Zimmerman

Eaton, IN

Geraldine “Gerry” (Bowling) Zimmerman, died on January 5, 2021 surrounded by her family.

Gerry was born on Sunday, July 21st  1929 in a small Virginia town called Leona Mines to Ernest and Hallie Jean (King) Bowling. She lived in Kentucky until she turned 15. In 1944, she moved to Muncie, Indiana where she got a job at Ball Brothers when she was only 16. She fibbed about her age, got the job and proved that she would master it very early on. She also worked at Excel Manufacturing, Colony Printing then on to Indiana Glass Company in Dunkirk, Indiana where she worked until her retirement in 1994. Gerry had a very strong work ethic, loved to plant vegetable and flower gardens, canning, camping and just about anything outdoors.

She was a very strong willed woman, a fighter. She always said that you will feel just as bad laying down as you will if you get up and do something. She survived Cancer twice, had both hips replaced, yet still continued to work through the sickness and pain. While going through Chemo treatments, she had her boss put her on second shift so she could get her treatments in the mornings, get sick, then go to work. She got Perfect Attendance awards every year up to her retirement.

She met the love of her life, Dale H Zimmerman in Muncie. They were married in 1951, moved to Eaton, and raised their three children.

She is survived by her daughter Linda J Zimmerman of Eaton, granddaughter Kristi (husband Phil) Ross of Modoc, great-grandchildren and their families: Evan, Sara, Quinne and Presley Glaser of Straughn - Nick, Jenna and Josie Glaser of Modoc - Rebecca, Austin and Charleigh Tinsman of Losantsville, stepson Dale Osborn of Albany, sister-in-laws Pam Kiser and Donna Hicks both of Muncie. She was also blessed to have long time friends Betty L Jones of Dunkirk, Gladys Modglin of Eaton, Karen Cox of Gaston, Joan Perkins of Eaton, Kathy Cook and Will of Eaton.

Gerry was preceded in death by her husband Dale H Zimmerman in 1987, sons Kenneth and Charles, her parents, brother and his wife Charles and Marjorie Bowling and a sister and her husband Thelma and Louis Steinhall.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Pitman-Richman Funeral Home, 200 S Hartford St., Eaton.

Funeral services will follow visitation at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Dewayne Loveless officiating. Private burial will be made at Gardens of Memory, Muncie.

Special thanks to IU Health Hospice team in Muncie for the care they gave to Gerry through her journey home.

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