John Zimmermann Obituary

July 17, 1946  -  April 8, 2025

October 15, 1946  -  April 21, 2025

Jack Zimmermann, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, entered into eternal life on April 21st, 2025. He passed away peacefully at his home in Winchester, Tennessee. He was 78 years old.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jack was the son of Carl and Doris Zimmermann. He was the oldest of four siblings, Scott, Rich, Mary Beth and Suzie. After attending Francis Jordan Catholic High School for his freshman year, he attended Wauwatosa West High School where he graduated in June 1964. Jack then pursued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in January 1969.

Following college, Jack answered President John F. Kennedy’s call to service and joined the Peace Corps. As a proud "JFK Kid," Jack spent time in Kuching, Sarawak (East Malaysia), working closely with local communities — even among former headhunters — during a period when the world was changing rapidly, from the moon landing to Woodstock. His time abroad broadened his world and left a lasting mark on his life.

Upon returning home, Jack navigated various paths, finding his way into a career in the medical packaging industry with companies like DRG Medical Packaging, Sengewald USA, and C & H Packaging. Later, Jack found his true professional calling as a Medicare insurance agent with Physicians Mutual. In this role, he shined, using his compassion and clarity to guide seniors through the often complex world of Medicare — work that brought him both pride and fulfillment until his retirement in 2020.

Throughout his life, Jack called Washington, D.C. and Nederland, Colorado home along with many places in Wisconsin including Poynette, Williams Bay, Tomahawk, Milwaukee, Waterloo and Jefferson. He lived the last four years of his life in Winchester, Tennessee.

Jack’s greatest joy was his family. He was the proud father of two sons, Jake and Jesse Zimmermann, from his first marriage to Marie Zimmermann. Later, he found lasting companionship with his wife, Elaine Zimmermann, with whom he shared many happy years.

Jack faced health challenges in his later years with strength, resilience, and a grateful heart. After contracting COVID-19 during a cruise trip through the British Isles in 2022, other health conditions, including COPD and RSV, became more difficult. Yet, Jack approached each day with the wisdom and acceptance he learned through his experiences in life and his time in AA: to cherish the good and face the bad with grace. In his later years, he worked to strengthen his Christian Faith.

Those who knew Jack will remember his adventurous spirit, his quick wit, his generous heart, and his unwavering ability to meet life’s ups and downs with a smile. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the family who loved him dearly, and the many lessons he shared simply by the way he lived.

He was deeply grateful for his life — and those blessed to know him are just as grateful for the gift of Jack. He is survived by his wife Elaine, sons Jake (Teresa) and Jesse (Alondra), four step daughters, two granddaughters Jenna and Rachael, two step grandchildren Ashton and Zoe, and niece Laura Davila and nephew, David Nichols.

Funeral home arrangements provided by Watson Funeral Home of Winchester, Tennessee. Private services will be held in Wisconsin at a later date

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