Ruth L. Zimmerman

Ruth Griswold Zimmerman, 96, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 4th, 2014 with her two daughters by her side. She was born on New Year's Eve 1917 in Middleport, New York, the daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. Charles and Bernice (Rhinehart) Griswold. On June 28, 1941 she married her high school sweetheart Donald G. Zimmerman who predeceased her in 1990 after 46 years of marriage. Ruth was an active Member/Officer in two well-known Indianapolis area Garden Clubs (Broad Ripple and Fall Creek) as well as a Life Member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. She was an Accredited Flower Show Judge and an Accredited Master Judge. She was inspired to this by her mother who was a nationally known propagator of African Violets in New York State. Ruth was also a certified Landscape Critic and in 1998 was presented with a Lifetime Membership Award in recognition for outstanding service to the Indiana Association of Landscape Critics Design Council. She was a Docent at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and a board member of The Little Red Door, Inc. For many years she served as Precinct Committeewoman registering voters in her area. She attended St. Luke's United Methodist Church A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2014, at Flanner and Buchanan-Washington Park North, 2706 Kessler Blvd, Indianapolis. Calling and time of Friendship 2-4p followed by service at 4:00p. Ruth will be lovingly missed by her four children: Donna Robertson of Indianapolis, IN; Richard (Debbie) Zimmerman of Noblesville, IN; Jan Wisher Reinhart of Fishers, IN; and Eric (Penny) Zimmerman of Scottsdale, AZ. She was Nanny/Gramma/Oma to 9 grandchildren: Alex (Karen) Robertson of Plainfield, IN; Anna (Doug) Richards of Elmira, OR; Darby (Nils) Stark of Eugene, OR; Erika (Chris) Dobrota of Indianapolis, IN; Erin (Michael) Gebhart of Las Vegas, NV; Derik Zimmerman of Noblesville, IN; Scott (Carrie) Wisher of Littleton, CO; and Christine Zimmerman of Scottsdale, AZ. Ruth also had 11 great-grandchildren: Aaron (15) & Ben (13) Richards; Joel (9) & Grace (6) Robertson; Mimi (9) & Quinn (7) Stark; Caroline (8), Bennett (6) & Anna (19m) Dobrota; Chase Wisher (18m); and Olivia Gebhart (14m). Memorial contributions may be made to Joy's House Adult Day Service, 2028 E. Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis, IN, 46220. Please share an online condolence or a memory of Ruth at www.flannerbuchanan.com. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan