Obituary

Robert Franklin Zimmerman
(January 10, 1918 - January 15, 2015)

Robert Franklin Zimmerman, age 97, of Keystone Heights, FL, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2015 while under the care of UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL.  Born January 10, 1918 in Mt. Healthy, OH, he was the son of the late Everett L. and Nellie (Sampson) Zimmerman. Married to Ruth Frances Lambert for 61 years until her passing in 2000.  Bob retired from CSX after working for 36 years. Bob loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a former WV state Director of NCHA, current FCRV member, an Admiral in the Cherry River Navy and a Kentucky Colonel. An avid musician, he played piano, saxophone, loved gospel music, and was a member of the church choir for his entire life.  He is survived by his daughter, Ruth Ann (Richard) Baker; sons, Robert L. Zimmerman and James F. (Charlotte) Zimmerman; nephews, Samuel E. Zimmerman and Philip R. Zimmerman; grandchildren, Richard A. Baker, Theressa (Garry) Dillon, Alice (Don) Sprague, Boyce (Jennifer) Baker, James Baker, Kristin (Ed) Hess, Marc (Stephanie) Zimmerman, Justin Morton, Stephen Zimmerman, Ann Marie (Tom) Craig, Arthur (Karen) Zimmerman, Adriann (Matt) Downey, Beth (Steve) Weeks, and Cathy (John) Palmer; 21 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.  In addition to his parents and his beloved wife, he was preceded in death by brothers, Roy E. and Ramon F. Zimmerman; daughter, Sally J. Hatmaker; three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.  Robert's family will welcome friends at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Ferrell-Chambers Funeral Home.  He will be laid to rest at the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Huntington.