Donald (Don) L. Zimmerman D.D.S. 79, of Oak Harbor died peacefully after a long battle with cancer at Stein Hospice of Sandusky on August 18, 2021. He was born February 24,1942 in Bluffton, OH to Oliver and Avonelle Zimmerman.
In 1960, Don graduated from Bluffton High School, where he was active in track and football. Throughout his youth, he participated in the Boy Scouts, loved working with cars and caring for cows. Don continued his education at Fort Wayne Bible College where he met his wife Erika, they married on June 8, 1963 in Bluffton, OH, and celebrated over 53 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on September 11, 2016. He then went on to complete his undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University in 1964 and later graduated from The Ohio State Dental program in 1967. Soon after graduation, Don and Erika found their permanent home in Oak Harbor, where he began building his legacy as he provided kind and gentle dental care to the local community for over 40 years. He was a loving husband, supportive father and adoring grandfather to his 13 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Most people remember Don as a kind and generous man who loved cars, nature and animals with extra affection for the deer and eagles that lived on his property. Don spent his free time enjoying yard work, gardening, nature walks, raising and training horses, working on cars and photography. He had a love for learning and studying the sciences. He enjoyed reading books and magazines and watching shows that researched the latest trends in medical and technological advancements along with ancient and modern history. He liked talking about all he had learned to anyone and everyone who would listen. He was also a car enthusiast who owned and admired many styles of classic cars. Don also loved spending time with his family. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his furry cat companions and long talks with his neighbors.
Don is survived by his sister Sherry Joseph; daughters, Lisa (Mike) Miller, Jenny (Scott) Zeitzheim, and Chrissy (Brian) Hall; grandchildren, Whitney (Garet) Bardall, Kelsey (Zach) Kreischer, Audrey (J.J.) Von Deylen, Anna Zeitzheim, Jack Zeitzheim, Chance Milledge and Alayna Hall. Don also has many nieces, nephews and great grandchildren that he adored. He is also survived by close family friend Marie (Kevin) Darr. Don was preceded in death by his parents along with his wife Erika, and he was a faithful caregiver to her for 13 years following her accident.
The family has requested memorials for Don to go to Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge at www.friendsofottawanwr.org, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Friends of Boy Scout Troop 370. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.
