Submitted by: Dan Rich
April 1, 1939 - Sept. 18, 2008
South Bend Tribune 9/21/2008
SOUTH BEND - Nick Zimmer, 79, was born in South Bend, IN,
to Eugene and Leah Zimmer on April 1, 1939. He was the youngest
of three children, his older brother, William (the late Ann), and
sister, Mary Anne (Tom) Steele, are all residents of South
Bend. He attended Centre Township grade school and graduated from
Riley High School in 1957. Nick graduated from Purdue University
in 1961 and received his MBA from Indiana University of South
Bend in 1982. On November 10, 1962, in Grace United Methodist
Church, Nick married his beautiful wife, Paulette, who passed
away on June 19, 2008. Also surviving are their three children,
Mary Beth (Paul) Thompson of Mount Prospect, IL, Kristin
Ann (Eric) Paulsen of Arlington Heights, IL, and Timothy
Eugene (Jennifer) Zimmer of Brownsburg, IN. He also leaves behind
seven dear grandchildren, Katherine, Tori and Bradley Thompson,
Joshua and Allison Paulsen, and twins, Colin and Ian Zimmer. In
addition, he is survived by his two brothers-in-law, Rodger
(Sandy) McKee and Richard (Gail) McKee, both of South Bend. Nick
dearly loved his wife of 45 years and loved his children and
grandchildren. He enjoyed being in their midst and sharing with
them. Nick and Paulette spent their entire lives in the South
Bend area, with the exception of five years during a nine-year
period of employment with Uniroyal, Inc.
Nick had transferred with Uniroyal to three
different job locations in Stoughton, WI, Naugatuck, CT, and Los
Angeles, CA. Nick was employed for 33 years in the family
business (Wm. Leman, Inc.) in Bremen, IN. He served for 21 years
as president until his retirement. Nick and Paulette were active
members of Community Baptist Church since 1972 when they returned
from California. Nick served as a trustee, deacon, usher and
greeter for several years. He also served on the Centre Township
Advisory Board, the Board of St. Joseph Valley Purdue Club and
the South Bend Community School Corporation Alumni Board, as well
as the Riley Class of 57 Reunion Committee. For 12 years, Nick
served on the National Board of the Mint Industry Research
Council serving five years as president.
A time of visitation with family and friends will be held today, Sept. 21, 2008, from 1:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan St., South Bend. Private committal services will take place at 10:00 a.m. Monday at Bremen Cemetery, Bremen, IN. Memorial services celebrating the life of Nick Zimmer will follow at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 22, in Community Baptist Church, 5715 Miami Street, South Bend. Dr. Bud Steadman, pastor, and Rev. Paul Thompson will officiate. Contributions in memory of Mr. Zimmer may be made to Community Baptist Church, 5715 Miami Street, South Bend, IN 46614; to the ALS Association of Indiana, 1980 E. 116th Street, Suite 105, Carmel, IN 46032; or to Purdue Cancer Research Fund, c/o University Development Office, 403 West Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907.