Robert F. Zimmerman Obituary
Official Obituary of

Robert F. Zimmerman

February 1, 1929 - March 18, 2026

Robert F. Zimmerman Obituary

Robert F. Zimmerman, 97, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away March 18, 2026 in Chambersburg. He was born February 1, 1929, in Sylvan, PA, to Franklin “Frank” Zimmerman and Martha (Phenicie) Zimmerman. Robert was a medic in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. After being in the Army, he married Grace Gutshall on May 6, 1951. He worked at Geyer Lumber Company.


Robert was a founding member of the St. Thomas Assembly of God, where he served on the church board and taught Sunday School for over 50 years. He was the contractor for 5 of his 6 children’s new homes and for the remodel of the 6th son’s home. Robert was a carpenter by trade, and worked for the Hurley Company of Carlisle as a site foreman building Messiah Village. He also built kitchens for local contractors, including Norman Eyer. He built the kitchen and bathroom vanities for all of his children’s homes. Working with wood was his passion and he excelled at it.


Robert is survived by his children, Gerald (Jean) Zimmerman, Martha (Nelson) Burkholder, Tim (Leslie) Zimmerman, all of Chambersburg, Randy Zimmerman, Larry (Sue) Zimmerman and Steve (Sandy) Zimmerman, all of St. Thomas; 11 grandchildren, Matthew, Jay, Joel, Shawn, Brian, Nicole, Arin, Jamie, Ashley, Cory, and Michelle; 30 great-grandchildren, Caleb, Jacob, Mikaela, Malachi, Samuel, Annika, Autumn, Faith, Hannah, Penelope, Paisley, Regan, Lukas, Brian, Lilliana, Trenton, Zackhary, Liam, Kaylynn, Austin, Allison, Haven, Andon, Krew, Landon, Callum, Elijah, Asher, Gabrielle, and Tobias; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.


In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Zimmerman, granddaughter Jennifer Lynn, brothers, Marvin Zimmerman, Darrell Zimmerman; sister Helen Rank; brother-in-law Jack Rank; and nephew Phillip Rank. He was the last of his immediate family.


A visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home, Ltd., 6492 Lincoln Way West, St. Thomas, PA.


A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 10:30 AM, at St. Thomas Assembly of God, 173 Rhondel Drive, St. Thomas, PA, with Pastor R. Stanton Williams and Pastor Josh Baldwin officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 10:30 AM before the service at the church.


Interment with military honors will be at St. Thomas Cemetery.


Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home, Ltd., St. Thomas has been entrusted with these arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelsocorneliusfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert, please visit our floral store.

Robert F. Zimmerman, 97, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away March 18, 2026 in Chambersburg. He was born February 1, 1929, in Sylvan, PA, to Franklin “Frank” Zimmerman and Martha (Phenicie) Zimmerman. Robert was a medic in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. After being in the Army, he married Grace Gutshall on May 6, 1951. He worked at Gey

Events

Visitation

Friday, March 20, 2026

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Kelso Cornelius Funeral Home, Ltd. 2

6492 Lincoln Way West St. Thomas, PA 17252

Visitation

Saturday, March 21, 2026

10:00 am - 10:30 am

St. Thomas Assembly of God (173 Rhondel Drive, St. Thomas, PA)

173 Rhondel Drive St. Thomas, PA

Funeral Service

Saturday, March 21, 2026

10:30 am

St. Thomas Assembly of God (173 Rhondel Drive, St. Thomas, PA)

173 Rhondel Drive St. Thomas, PA