MOCKSVILLE — Deacon John Otto Zimmerle, formerly of Statesville, went home to the Lord on Nov. 27, 2020. He was living with his daughter and son-in-law in Dingmans Ferry, Pa., and they were at his side when he passed.
Friends are invited to pay their respects at Davie Funeral Chapel in Mocksville, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mocksville, officiated by Father Eric Kowalski, pastor. Joining the service will be the U.S. Coast Guard to present military honors, as well as the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Salisbury.
Born in Passaic, N.J., on April 14, 1940, he was the son of the late William and Helen (Lenore) Zimmerle. He was a graduate of Ramsey High School’s Class of 1958 in Ramsey, N.J., and served with the U.S. Coast Guard as a Radioman Second Class Petty Officer on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Half Moon. He retired from the John Boyle Co., where he was an Eastern regional sales manager.
He served St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mocksville from June 2001 to his retirement in October 2014. Deacon Zimmerle preached homilies and assisted at Mass, assisted with marriage preparation for couples, witnessed many marriages, served on the parish building committee, co-assisted on the oversight of the parish’s RCIA program, and held many more titles.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Ladis Zimmerle. He will be cherished by his children: John-Michael (Tami) of Spanish Fork, Utah; Susan Marie Cawley (Ron) of Dingmans Ferry; William Edward (Dawn) of Levittown, Pa.; and Mary Elyse Zimmerle of San Francisco; and 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by his brother, William, and survived by his brother Alan (Joanne) of Manchester, N.H., and his sister-in-law, Cathy of Ringwood, N.J.; and a niece and nephew.
Memorials may be considered to the parish’s Knights of Columbus, Prayer Quilt Ministry or Food Pantry Ministry.
Davie Funeral Service of Mocksville is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald