Mr. Earl R. Zimmerman, 86, a resident of the Palmer House, New Grove Street, Wilkes-Barre, passed into Glory unexpectedly Monday afternoon at his residence.

     Born August 7, 1931 in Plymouth, he was the youngest of twelve children to the late Frederick and Nettie (Miller) Zimmerman.  Educated in the Larksville schools, Mr. Zimmerman was a member of the 1949 graduating class of the former Larksville High School; the only child in his family to graduate and not take employment in the local coal mining industry.

     Following his education, Mr. Zimmerman proudly served our country with the United States Army, Company A; First Battalion; 6th Infantry, stationed in Berlin, Germany during the Korean War.  He earned the rank of Corporal at the time of his Honorable Discharge from duties on March 15, 1955 and again later on April 26, 1961.

     Until his retirement, he was employed with the maintenance department of King's College, Wilkes-Barre, and previously worked with the former Rolane Factory Outlet and Arlans Department Store.

     Until restructuring of congregations, Mr. Zimmerman served as a deacon with the Berean Baptist Church and was an elder with the Second Welsh Presbyterian Church, both of Wilkes-Barre.

     In his younger days, he previously served as a Boy Scout Leader, and more recently enjoyed serving meals daily at the Lee Park Towers Senior Center.  In his leisure time, he enjoyed playing cards and visiting the Mohegan Sun Casino.  An avid baseball fan, he loved his trips to watch the former Red Barons play home games.

     Mr. Zimmerman was preceded in death by his beloved wife, the former Martha Jean Elmy in 2003.  At the time of her passing, the couple shared fifty years of married life together.  He was also the last of his twelve siblings to pass.    

     Left to mourn his passing are his daughter, Mrs. Marsha L. Gelsleichter, and her husband Robert Jr. of Wilkes-Barre; Son, Mr. Earl R. Zimmerman Jr. and his wife Alice of Carlisle.   Grandchildren; Mandy Lane and her husband Jarrod, Robert John Gelsleichter III and Thomas Edward Zimmerman and his wife Christina. Great-grandchildren, Grace Lynn and Brent Matthew Gelsleichter and Zachary Austin Zimmerman; Numerous nieces, nephews, fellow congregation members and dear friends.

     Funeral services for Mr. Zimmerman will be conducted on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. from the Wilkes-Barre Heights location of the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 281 East Northampton Street.  Interment with prayers of committal will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery, 68 East Saint Mary's Road, Hanover Township where military honors will be accorded by the United States Army.

     Relatives and friends may join the family for visitation and remembrances Thursday morning from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services.

     In lieu of floral tributes, Mr. Zimmerman's family would be honored if those contemplating a memorial contribution in his memory, kindly consider the Volunteers of America, 25 North River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

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