Marvel Wayne Zimmerman's Obituary
Mr. Marvel Wayne Zimmerman, age 78, of Laketon Township, went to be with his Lord on Friday, October 2, 2009 at Harbor Hospice Poppen Residence. He was born in Lansing, Michigan on August 9, 1931 to Orville and Bertha Zimmerman. He moved to St. Johns, Michigan in 1946 with his family. He met the love of his life, Joan Ann Swatman, at St. Johns High School and they were married on February 3, 1952. He graduated from St. Johns High School in 1950. During his high school years, he played football and his team had undefeated seasons in 1948 and 1949. The members of the team were inducted into the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War on an airbase in Korea. Upon returning from the service, he went to work for General Telephone Company (GTE). He worked there for almost 40 years starting as a lineman. He served in various positions in St. Johns and Grayling. He moved to Muskegon in 1976 to become an instructor at the GTE Training Center in Muskegon. He held this position for 16 years until 1992 when he retired. He enjoyed the outdoors and a variety of outdoor sports including golf, fishing, camping, and hunting. He was a talented carpenter working on every home he and Joan owned. He was always willing to drop what he was doing to help others. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and went on several mission trips with his church. He was a member of Laketon Bethel Reformed Church for 32 years where he served as an Elder. He was also active at the American Legion in Grayling, MI. But most of all, he enjoyed doing things with his wife, children and grandchildren. He is SURVIVED by his wife, Joan; daughter, Pam (Jim) Rogers of Sheridan; son, Kevin (Cora) Zimmerman of Muskegon; his grandchildren, Kara Rogers of Sheridan, Andrew Rogers of Holland, Alexa Zimmerman of Muskegon, John (Nina) Anthony of Fremont; four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by two sisters, Arlene Simmet of Lansing, Janet (Bob) Redman of St. Johns; 2 brothers, Lyle (Elli) Zimmerman of New Jersey and Roy (Liz) Zimmerman of Georgia. He had numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Christopher Rogers. A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held 1:00 PM Monday, October 5, 2009, at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church with Rev. Dr. Sherwin Brantsen officiating. INTERMENT with Military Honors will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns, MI. VISITATION with the family will be 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday at The Sytsema Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Home, Inc., 737 Apple Avenue, (231) 726-5210. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service, 12-1 PM Monday and the church. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, the family requests memorials to Laketon Bethel Reformed Church or Harbor Hospice. Sign the guestbook on-line at www.sytsemafh.com
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