Earl William Zimmerman, 83, passed away Sunday, April 5, 2009 at his home in Akron, Colorado.

He was born December 21, 1925 in Big Springs, NE the seventh of nine children born to William M. and Mary M. Zimmerman. He grew up in Sterling, CO, graduating from Sterling High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Earl married Rita Mae Lederhos May 31, 1948 and together they raised nine children. They moved to Elizabeth, CO in 1959, retired to Brush, CO in 1985 and made Akron their home in 1993.

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Rita, an infant son, Matthew Earl, his parents, four brothers and one sister.

Earl is survived by nine children: Rosemarie (Mickey) Wilkinson of Brighton, Kathy (Joe) Roskop of Pueblo West, Trish Zimmerman of Arvada, Suzie (John) Schoneberg of Sutton, NE, Wade (Susan) Zimmerman of LaJunta, Christy (Ken) Swan of Woodrow, Mark (Kathy) Zimmerman of Akron, Kent Zimmerman of Lakewood and Tammy Zimmerman of Sterling, four sisters, Gertrude Ziegler and Arlene Hilsabeck of Greeley and Marjorie and Mary Lou Zimmerman of Whittmann, AZ. In addition, he is survived by 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grand children.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Akron, CO with Rev. Bruce Richter officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Akron with Brenner Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials in Earl's memory may be made to the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes Research Dept.
1775 Aurora Court MS B-140, Aurora, CO 80045