George "Ted" Zimmerman

George “Ted” Zimmerman, 96. Of Earlville, IL passed away Friday, May 9, 2025 at 7 p.m. at Serenity Hospice in Oregon, Illinois after a brief illness of metastatic pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his beloved wife, Jane, and other family members.

Ted was born on January 27, 1929 in Mendota, Illinois. He was raised mainly in Earlville, Illinois and attended Earlville Schools. After High School graduation he attended Illinois State University until joining the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in Erlangen Germany during these years. When he was honorably discharged from the Army, he and a buddy decided to look for a Catholic college that they would like to attend. They came upon Quincy College, now Quincy University, and both enrolled there. Ted was a math major. He excelled in his studies and graduated with honors. While at Quincy College he met Joan Renner, who after graduation became his wife. They settled in Chicago initially where he was a math teacher. They started their family and over the next ten years welcomed six children. During these years Ted earned his Master’s Degree in Education at Loyola University in Chicago. They eventually settled in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He eventually became a Jr. High Principal at Lombard Jr. High and remained there until his retirement. After his retirement, he and Joan moved back to Earlville. Ted enjoyed playing golf several times a week with old and new friends. He and his high school friend, Fritz Nelson, were partners for many years at the Earlville Golf Course.

Ted and Joan traveled extensively until she became ill and passed away in 2002. Ted greatly enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs and was so thrilled when they won the World Series in 2016. He also enjoyed watching Notre Dame, Northwestern, and University of Illinois sports. In fact, there weren’t many sports on TV that he wouldn’t watch and enjoy.

He was involved with the Earlville Legion, the Earlville Lions Club, and with St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.

In 2005 Ted met Jane Spenader, and in 2008 they were married. They also enjoyed traveling and had many interests in common.

Ted is survived by his wife, Jane, six children: Anne (Kurt) Hollenbeck; Clare (Tom) Poupard; Paul (Rhonda) Zimmerman; Matt (Valerie) Zimmerman; Ellen Zimmerman, and Rachel Zimmerman. He is survived by seven grandchildren: Christina Zimmerman, Jonathan (Ali) Zimmerman, Kate (Anthony) Moser, Elizabeth (Jake) O’Quin, Constance Poupard, Joseph Poupard, and Max Katz. He also is survived by six great-grandchildren. Ted is also survived by a special stepson, Tyler Spenader, with whom he was very close.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ruth (Lutz) Zimmerman, his first wife Joan, his sister Patricia, and brother-in-law Joe Appleton, his brother Jerry, and a niece, Teresa.

Ted was a quiet man, generous, kind, and loving. He was a devout Christian Catholic for his entire life.

We so appreciate the tremendous assistance of his grandson, Jonathan, and Jane’s nephew Jake, in helping us care for Ted before he was moved to the Hospice facility.

“Well done, good and faithful servant”

Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Earlville, IL with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:30 in the church, with Father Jeff Windy officiating. Burial will follow in St. Theresa Catholic Cemetery Earlville, IL. Memorials may be directed to Earlville Excellence in Education Foundation, or Masses. Arrangements were entrusted to Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Earlville. For more information or to sign the online guest book go to www.eighnerfuneralhomes.com

Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home

PO Box 808 Earlville, IL 60518

(815) 246-6491