Richard E. "Dick" Zimmerman (91) of Watson

Richard “Dick” E. Zimmerman, 91, of Watson, IL, passed away just about at sunset on Sunday, June 18, 2023 just how he had wanted to, at his farm, surrounded by loving family and friends, with the sounds of birds and crickets chirping in the background.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. In lieu of any flowers and gifts, the family strongly encourages, if you wish, to make a donation to St. Anthony Schools, Effingham County Veterans Memorial, St. Anthony Cemetery, Effingham County 40&8,V-1439 for the Nurses Training Scholarship, or donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Dick was born in Springfield, IL to Frank and Marie (Pohl) Zimmerman on September 19, 1931. Frank moved the family to Flora, IL in 1942. Dick graduated from Flora High School in 1949. In 1951, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1955. Dick worked as a carpenter for other establishments before venturing out to start his own successful business venture. In 1967, he founded Zimmerman Home Improvement in which he dedicated multiple decades of his life until retirement. During his career at Zimmerman Home Improvement, Dick made many long-time friends that still remember him years later with fond stories of the quality work he did for them. Dick in his later years loved being on his farm and could frequently be seen driving his golf cart around the farm taking care of chores, heading back to his pond to go fishing, feeding the birds, working on a project he had set his mind to, or visiting those who were passing by his farm. In the last few years, he also spent many hours diligently finding only the very best pennies to fill Lincoln Cent books “Penny Books” to give to others to show appreciation for kind gestures shown toward him. He was a member of St. Anthony Church, Effingham American Legion and the VFW. Dick and his family wish to thank all the very kind health care members, who quickly became friends and helped with his care that enabled him in the last few months of his life to stay at home. The love and support are enormously appreciated. He married Pauletta Habing in 1954; she passed away in 1998. He married Pauline Haarmann in 1999 and gained 7 more children just like his own; she passed away in 2020.

Dick leaves behind children, Patty Zimmerman, Phil (Karen) Zimmerman, Rich (Andres) Zimmerman, Bill (Janice) Zimmerman, Ron (Stephen) Zimmerman; one brother, Thomas “Butch” Zimmerman; daughter-in-law, Maureen Farmer; children, Bernard (Deb) Haarmann, Tom (Janet) Haarmann, Brenda (Steve) Margold, Gloria (David) Brummer, Elaine (Tom) Dust, and Sharon (Pat) Wente; son-in-law, Larry (Dolores) Hahn; and also many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dick was preceded in death by first wife, Pauletta; second wife, Pauline; siblings, Frank Zimmerman, Robert Zimmerman, Kathleen Jones, and Mary Ann Palmisano; daughter, Denise Hahn; and great- granddaughter, Evelyn Lack.

Dick in his later years always expressed how very lucky and thankful he was to have had such a wonderful life with 2 great wives, a large loving family, and many years of good health to be able to enjoy so many special moments.