John L. Zimmerer

John Leslie Zimmerer, age 76, of Petersburg, WV peacefully went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 23, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Arvella Ours Zimmerer.

One daughter, Sheila Phares Dunsmore and husband Daryl of Maysville, WV

Two grandchildren, Samatha Goldizen and husband Anthony of Maysville, WV and Heather Moneymaker and husband Jason of Stuarts Draft, VA.

Three great grandchildren, Liam Goldizen, Lainey Goldizen and Damien Moneymaker.  

He gained a bonus family of grandchildren, Carolyn Thorne and husband Shane of Dorcas, WV and Abraham Dunsmore and finance Marissa Grapes of Dorcas, WV; three great grandchildren, Telia Thorne, Owen Thorne and Symphony Thorne.

One sister, Marion Johnson and husband Brad of Mesa, AZ; One half-sister, Barbara Donnellon of Maryland.

Several nieces and nephews who he loved like his own.

John is preceded in death by his parents, John Andrew Zimmerer and Maggie Juel Allen Zimmerer; his brother James Zimmerer and two sisters Phyllis Zimmerer and Betty White Bibb Sulzbach. 

John was born in Waynesboro, VA in 1945. He attended Nelson County High School in Virginia.  When he was young he and his family were at the estate of the Kennedy’s in Palm Beach, FL. He served in the US Army 82nd Airborne and was a life member of Potomac Highlands VFW Post 6454.

John worked as a lineman for the Power Company in the 60’s. He owned the ARCO station in Petersburg and he also owned a body shop and wrecker service in Florida. He was a truck driver at Rockingham Poultry.  He worked as a photographer at Bishoff Photography. He was a mascot at Petersburg High School.  He and his wife Arvella started a business Eagle’s Nest Outfitters in1979 that was known throughout a lot of the United States during the 39 years. 

John loved riding his motorcycle and getting his Sheetz coffee. He was very adamant about mowing his lawn with everyone wondering how got those stripes in the grass. 

He was a great husband, dad, son, Paw Paw, brother, uncle, nephew, father-in-law and a good friend to many and will truly be missed by all. 

Family will receive friends on Thursday, August 26,2021 from 5 – 8 PM at Schaeffer Funeral Home in Petersburg.

Funeral service will be Friday, August 27,2021 at  11:00 AM  in the chapel of Schaeffer Funeral Home with Pastor Daryl Dunsmore officiating. A military graveside service will be conducted by Grant County Veterans Honor Guard and WV Army Honor Guard in the Ours Family Cemetery in Rough Run, WV.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Zimmerer family, c/o Arvella Zimmerer, P.O. Box 731, Petersburg, WV 26847.

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