Phillip Zimmerman

Phillip Zimmerman was an honest and hardworking man, dedicated to his family and loyal to his friends. He was a true patriot who knew what it meant to work hard, yet he also made sure to take time to enjoy life too. Phill loved being outdoors, camping, fishing or just grilling something up for the family, or he could be found tinkering on a project in his garage. Phill was a man of many skills and interests, but it was the moments he shared with those he loved that meant the world to him. He will be fondly remembered as a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to all who knew him.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 10, 1949, Phillip was the youngest of two children born to Walter and Jacqueline (Price) Zimmerman. Following his parent's divorce, Phillip's mother moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan with her two sons where she provided for her family as a waitress. Phill, as he was called, and his older brother, John, were very close all their lives. They spent holidays with family and enjoyed many summers going fishing and hunting with their Uncle Phill. Vacations were often spent at the beach or taking a leisure drive, however, it was a family tradition to spend extended time at the cottage they owned on an inland lake in Michigan, making indelible memories together.

After graduating from Catholic Central High School in 1967, Phill followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, enlisting in the U.S. Marines in 1968. He proudly served his country stationed in San Diego, California until his honorable discharge in 1971. Shortly after returning home from the service, Phill met Dolores “Jean” through a mutual friend and they began dating. It wasn’t long before they fell in love and were married on January 1, 1972. They shared the next 26 years together, raising their two children, Pam and Joe, and sharing wonderful memories as a family. Phill cared deeply for his family and showed it by providing faithfully for them love and sharing much love and laughter. Putting his mechanical abilities to good use, Phill worked as a machinist at General Motors for 30 years before retiring. Sadly, he lost his beloved wife Jean on December 29, 1998.

Phill would find love again when he was introduced to Charleane Ross through a co-worker in late 1999. He and Charleane dated for a short time before being married on September 30, 2000. When it came to his retirement years, Phill truly enjoyed the slower pace in life, and having time for all his interests and hobbies. Since a child, Phill could fix just about anything mechanical and build something from nothing. His garage was a collector’s paradise since he never got rid of anything, never knowing when he might need it. It was said he probably had two of most anything in his garage. Something the Zimmerman family loved to do together was go camping, and they traveled all around Michigan staying in state parks and various campgrounds, and ventured into a few other states too. During quieter moments at home, when Phill sat down with a good book it was usually by his favorite author, Louis L’Amour or a history magazine, but he also enjoyed listening to music from the 1960s, particularly Neil Diamond. Phill enjoyed cooking, especially on the grill, and was known for making some mean steaks and fried chicken dinners. He enjoyed eating it all too, especially if there were deviled eggs. Of all the great things in his life, time spent with his family towered above the rest. Although Phill will be dearly missed, his legacy of love and dedication leaves his loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort.

Phillip B. Zimmerman, age 65, of Sand Lake, MI died on Monday, May 11, 2015. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dolores Jean Zimmerman; his mother, Jacqueline Zimmerman; and by his brother, John Zimmerman. Phill is survived by his wife, Charleane (Ross) Zimmerman; children, Pam and Alan Norton, Joe Zimmerman and friend, Renee Butterworth; close friend and helper, Armando Swanson; his grandson, Phillip; brothers-in-law, Robert and Linda Swatzell, James and Diane Swatzell, Dave and Sue Swatzell; mother-in-law, Alice Duke; nieces, nephews and several relatives on the Ross side.

A memorial service to celebrate Phill’s life will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home-Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, where friends may meet with his family for one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions to the Van Andel Institute for Cancer Research are appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory or photo of Phill and to sign his online guest book