Roy E. "Gene" Zimmerman, 88 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 3:55 pm Sunday October 3, 2010 at the Fort Madison Community Hospital.

Gene was born July 28, 1922 in Marceline, Mo to Wm. Roy Zimmerman and Lillie Myers Zimmerman. The family moved to Ft. Madison in 1938. He participated in many sports, especially basketball and track, winning a second place medal at the Drake Relays. He graduated from Ft. Madison High School in 1940.
After graduation, he worked for DuPont in Ft. Madison before being inducted into the Army in 1943. Gene married classmate Virginia J. Wilken of Ft Madison on May 1, 1943 at Gainesville, TX. He served with the 86th Black Hawk Division attaining the rank of Infantry Drill Sgt. and served all through France, Germany and Austria. After returning to the U.S., the 86th was redeployed to the Phillippines, making it the only Division to serve in both theaters of operations. After the Japanese surrendered, he was then sent to Corregidor Island, where he served in the Army of Occupation, before returning home.
For many years Gene was the manager of the Ft. Madison Roofing Co. and later became a Vice-President of the Ft. Madison Savings and Loan.
Many people regarded Gene as one of the nicest people they ever knew. He loved playing poker with his friends at the Elks Club, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Surviving are his wife, Virginia Zimmerman of Fort Madison, Iowa
and children Cole E., (Pam), of Indianola, IA and daughter Andrea J. Dusenberry of Mt. Vernon, IA,
one granddaughter and three grandsons.
He is also survived by his sister, Nina Carr and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dale Zimmerman, son-in-law Kevin Dusenberry,
and nephew, Kurt Zimmerman.

The body of Mr. Zimmerman has been cremated. Family will meet friends from 1:00 - 2:00 pm Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison where the memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, with Reverend John Simpson officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Fort Madison. Full military rites will be conducted by the Fort Madison Veteran Honor Guard. A memorial has been established for PAWS, contributions may be left at the Barr Memorial Chapel.