ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – God chose a special angel into Heaven on March 8, 2022. Richard Zimmerman, 92, of Ormond Beach, Fla., and formerly of Mendota, passed away at Advent Health in Daytona Beach, Fla., after a two-year battle with many health challenges.

Cremation rites will be accorded. A Celebration of Life is being held at Salty Church in Ormond Beach, Fla., on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 5 p.m., officiated by Pastor Robbie O'Brien. Visitation will be Saturday, March 26, 2022 from 9-11:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota with a memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m., officiated by Pastor Ken Gibson of St. John's Lutheran Church and Pastor Dalmus Meeks of Harvest Time Bible Church in Rock Falls. A luncheon will follow at the Mendota Elks Club.

He was born on Sept. 13, 1929, in Compton to Arthur and Freda (Kutter) Zimmerman. He graduated from Mendota High School in 1947, and graduated from Wartburg College in 1951 with a Bachelor's degree in Math and Chemistry.

Rich is survived by his devoted wife of 21 years, Margery (Henkel) Zimmerman. He is also survived by five children from his first marriage, Mary Jean (Rich) Derreberry of Rock Falls, Janet (Mark) Warner of Urbandale, Iowa, Luci (Craig) Phalen of Missoula, Mont., Celeste (Dennis) Walker of Geneva and Curt (Laurie) Zimmerman of Mendota. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Wendy Zimmerman of Coralville, Iowa, brother-in-law Jim (Pat) Henkel of Boone, Iowa, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dean Zimmerman, and many aunts and uncles.

He was drafted and served in the United States Army in 1951, and returned to Mendota in 1953 to join his father and uncle in the family business, Fasco Mills Company. He was responsible for leading and continuing the management of Fasco's growth into the grain business beginning in the 1960s and developed and programmed grain accounting software for the business as a pioneer in the industry, making Fasco the largest independent grain business in the Midwest. Rich's dream in the 1970s became reality with the opening of Northern Crossing on the east edge of Mendota. He planned and constructed the Grain Terminal, which came to fruition January 2004 and became the first “greenfield” site and the largest rail shipper of grain in Illinois. Rich retired in 2007.

Rich served on the Board of the First State Bank in Mendota from 1974-2001 and the Mendota High School Board for several years. He was a member of the Mendota Rotary Club, Mendota Elks Club, and served on the Immanuel Lutheran Church council in Compton where he also taught Sunday School.

Rich was a generous lifelong supporter of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and sponsored a number of campus projects including the Zimmerman tower at the Wartburg Chapel and the Zimmerman Field at Walston Hoover Stadium. He and Marge were also contributors to Make-a-Wish of Central Florida, Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis, Fla., Salty Church in Ormond Beach, Fla., and the Mendota Museum and Historical Society.

Rich loved his family very much and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He and the love of his life, Marge, enjoyed traveling together throughout the world and took the family on several memorable trips.

Rich became a skilled pilot and enjoyed flying for many years. He obtained instrument and commercial flight ratings, which allowed him to fly complex aircraft long distances. Like his father, Rich enjoyed the sport of fishing and enjoyed countless fishing trips to Canada and Montana.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Camp Boggy Creek, 30500 Brantley Branch Road, Eustis, FL 32736 or online at www.campboggycreek.org. Rich had a passion for this great organization whose mission is to enable children with serious illnesses to enjoy a camp experience in a safe, medically sound environment. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.