David Zimmerman

 

David John Zimmerman, 71, of Dahinda, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2024, 8:50 PM at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.

David was born December 8, 1952 at Saunders Hospital, Avon. He was the son of Noah Lester “Tag” and Helen Marjorie (Williamson) Zimmerman.

He was a 1971 graduate of Knoxville High School and then graduated from Black Hawk Community College of Kewanee in 1973 with a degree in Agricultural Science. He married Shirley Thorp on July 29, 1973, they divorced but remained friends. He then married Jane Chambers on November 3, 1994.

In 1973, while attending college he worked at the Brickyard in East Galesburg. He then worked for Maytag for 30 years until the plant closed. After Maytag’s closing, he worked at Dexter’s Farm Equipment, and finally retiring from Birkey’s Farm Equipment where he did final assembly on new machinery products. He has farmed all his life.

David served three terms as mayor of East Galesburg, ending in 1994 and recently received special recognition for 40 years of volunteering on the Appleton Fire Department, briefly serving as the Fire Chief and previously on the East Galesburg Fire Department. He was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees for the Knoxville Fire Protection District.

A friend to all, David was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone and everyone. He loved the farm, especially his Hereford cattle and his kitties; and he just couldn’t miss going to Dyersville, Iowa each year to their special toy show, to add to his collection of toy tractors, farm machinery, trains and antiques.

David is survived by his sister, Doris (David) Hook of West Burlington, Iowa; children, Christina (Brett Hitchcock) Chambers and Cliffton (Jessica) Chambers, both of Galesburg; grandchildren, Matthew (Kodie) Chambers of Abingdon and Nathan Chambers of Galesburg; great-grandchild, Jamison, who loved his Papa Dave; Shirley Zimmerman of Dahinda and many cousins and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Jane.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Thursday, January 11, 2024 at Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory, Knoxville. Funeral services will be 12:00 PM, Thursday, January 11, 2024 at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Knoxville Cemetery. Rev. Russ Collister will officiate. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory are assisting the family with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Appleton Fire Department. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com