Ira F. "Bud" Zimmerman

Ira F. "Bud" Zimmerman, 83, of Fleetwood, passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Penn State Health, St. Joseph Medical Center, Bern Township.

Born August 10, 1939 in Donaldson, PA, he was the son of the late William and Gladys I. (Klinger) Zimmerman. He and the love of his life, his wife of 54 years, Margaret M.E. (Heckman) Zimmerman, were married on August 3, 1968 in St. Paul's UCC, Pricetown.

Bud served his country honorably and faithfully in the United States Air Force where he was a jet mechanic.

Bud began his career working for Polymer Plastics, Reading. He went on to work as a maintenance supervisor for Dana Corporation for 39 years. After the closure of the Dana plant, Bud continued working as a consultant in Thailand.

Bud was a 1957 graduate of Oley Valley High School. He was a 32nd degree mason and a member of St. John's Lodge #435, F & AM, Reading, and also was a member of the Shriners and the Scottish Rite, Reading. He loved hunting, fishing, boating and working on cars.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Margaret, are his three daughters, Melanie A. (Zimmerman) Beidler, wife of Craig W. Beidler, Fleetwood, Holly L. (Zimmerman) Fox, wife of Timothy P. Fox, PhD, Fleetwood and Wendy E. (Zimmerman) Rowe, wife of David T. Rowe, Oley. He is also survived by his step-son, Barry L. Ramer, husband of Charlene (O'Brien) Ramer, Birdsboro, his grandchildren, Damon, Nevin, Jeremy, Katherine, Adam, Amanda and Payton, his step-granddaughter, Ashley, his great-grandchildren, Halie, Bryce, Harper, Tanner and Arthur, and by his brothers, Donald Zimmerman, husband of the late Janet Zimmerman, Warren Zimmerman, husband of Patricia Zimmerman, and Leroy Zimmerman, husband of Jean Zimmerman.

Along with his parents, Bud was preceded in death by his grandson, Preston T. Rowe, and his sister, Nancy (Zimmerman) and her husband, Thomas Caraker, III.

Funeral Services for Bud will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 10:30 am at Walbert Funeral Home & Crematory, 14390 Kutztown Rd, Fleetwood. A viewing will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 until time of services. Burial will follow in Berks County Memorial Gardens.

Donations may be made in honor of Bud to the scholarship in memory of his grandson, Preston. Donations can be sent to the Preston Tyler Rowe Memorial Scholarship, c/o Wendy Rowe, 489 Oley Road, Fleetwood, PA 19522.

Walbert Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to be caring for Bud and his family. Online condolences may be offered at WalbertFuneralHome.com.

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