Joseph Edward (Joe) Zimmerman, age 86, left his beloved home on the Cowpasture River at 4105 Nicelytown Road in Clifton Forge, Virginia on September 20, 2016.
After several years of declining health and having lived with a mechanical artificial aorta heart valve since 1972, he headed to his forever home in Heaven while peacefully sleeping.
Joe was born in Lewisburg, West Virginia on January 9, 1930, to the late Hubert Frank and Mary Ruth Landers Zimmerman.
He was also preceded in death by brothers, Hubert Frank, Jr. of Richmond, VA, Charles "Chody" of Blue Ridge, VA, and William "Bill" of Covington, VA; and sisters, Elizabeth "Libby" Richmond of Ronceverte, WV, Catherine Slenzak of Chicopee, MA, and Lois Crooke of Gulf Breeze, FL.
Surviving to cherish his memory is his devoted wife of 60 years and caregiver the past several years, Phyllis Hill Zimmerman. Also left are two precious daughters: Lori Linn Henry of High Point, NC and husband, David; Karen Lea Zimmerman of Clifton Forge; and loving grandson, Jared Adam Thrasher of Clifton Forge; a sister, Shirley Bugeia of Long Beach, CA; sister-in-law, Marguerite Groscup of Morgantown, WV; brother-in-law, Charlie Crooke of Gulf Breeze, FL; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Joe graduated from Lewisburg High School, attended Greenbrier Military School, graduated from West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh's D. T. Watson School of Physical Therapy.
He served in the United State Air Force during the Korean War.
He retired in 1991 from Alleghany Regional Hospital with 30 years of service. He was employed at the C & O Railway Hospital and then opened the Physical Therapy Department at the new hospital. He was employed at Liberty House Nursing Home for seven years after his retirement from the hospital.
Before coming to Clifton Forge, he had worked as physical therapist at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA and the Miner's Hospital in Beckley, WV.
Joe dearly loved working with people in his life work as a physical therapist.
He was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Clifton Forge since moving to Clifton Forge in 1961. He was a former member of the American Association of Physical Therapists and loved belonging to Senior Friends.
He was honored as one of West Virginia's "Sports Greats" in football at the WV Centennial in 1963. Oh, how he loved football!
In lieu of flowers or food, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Mountain Regional Hospice (P. O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA) or Central United Methodist Church (P. O. Box 16, Clifton Forge, VA).
We wish to express our sincere appreciation to both Sentara Home Health and Mountain Regional Hospice for your loving, dedicated help during the past several months. May God Bless You!
A favorite quotation: "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your hearts, I'll stay forever."
Rest in peace, darling Joe.
In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. There will be no services at this time.
The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, Virginia is handling arrangements.
