Donnie Lee (Shorty) Zimmerman, 86, of Sesser, Illinois, went to his heavenly reward on October 27, 2024 after a courageous battle with leukemia.
Donnie was born on May 19, 1938, to Donald Earl and Margaret Mae Zimmerman in Cobden, Illinois. He married Darline (Spann) Zimmerman in November of 1955 and moved to Chicago Heights, Illinois to begin working at Thrall Car. Donnie and Darline had four children, Donnie Eugene, Donnetta Jo (Michael) Gould, Anita Kay (Roger) Craig and Dana Sue (Darren) Portell. He served at Liberty Free Will Baptist Church in Indiana as a trustee and bus attendant during their years living near Chicago Heights. In 1974, Donnie and Darline returned home to Sesser, Illinois where he began working as a coal miner at Old Ben 26 mine. Donnie worked alongside his father-in-law and his brother-in-law building their family home in Sesser.
Donnie was a quiet man with an unwavering commitment to his family and his church. After his retirement in 1993, he loved spending his time outside on the lawn mower, in his vegetable garden, tinkering around in his garage and traveling with Darline. Donnie and Darline enjoyed attending church gatherings in many Southern Illinois Free Will Baptist churches but devoted their service to their home church of First Free Will Baptist in Benton, Illinois where Donnie served as a trustee for many years.
Donnie was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, his son, Donnie Eugene Zimmerman and his grandson Michael Cole Gould.
Donnie was survived by his wife of 68 years and 11 months, Janetta Darline (Spann) Zimmerman; daughters Donnetta Jo (Michael) Gould, Anita Kay (Roger) Craig, Dana (Darren) Portell; grandchildren Jeremy Lemons, Jessica Craig Harmon, Rachel Craig Welch, Daman Sink, McKenna (Luis) Vital, McGwire (Abby) Portell, McCayde and McLayne Portell; great grandchildren Daniel and Jeremiah Flowers, Jayden Craig, Rilee Sink, Sophia Sink, Capri Vital, Mark Sink and he is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First Free Will Baptist Church or to Illinois Board of Missions 1176 County Road 1975 N, Cisne, IL 62823. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Funeral services are under the direction of Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, Sesser, Illinois. Visitation will be held on Wednesday 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the funeral service on Thursday at 11 a.m. all at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home. Donnie’s final resting place will be at Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser, Illinois.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
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