JoAn A. (nee Beinhauer) Zimmerman, 88, passed away on April 5, 2024, in Lebanon, PA.
She was born on July 25, 1935, in Highspire, PA, to Charlotte F. Beinhauer and John E. Beinhauer, both now deceased.
JoAn was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother of two, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of 12. She married the love of her life, Bruce W. Zimmerman (Zim), on Dec. 18, 1953. They were married nearly 50 years before he passed. JoAn was also predeceased by her only sister, Janet B. Nikoloff.
JoAn graduated from Steelton High School as a member of the marching band and Thompson Business School. Zim was serving in the USAF in Korea. When he returned to the States, JoAn joined him at Eglin Air Force Base in FL, where they had their daughter, Jody (Zimmerman) Laverty, now of Boothwyn, PA. They moved back to Steelton, PA, and then moved out to Lower Paxton Township, PA, where they had their son, Scott Zimmerman, now of Duncannon, PA. Later in life, JoAn and Bruce moved out to Hummelstown, PA, to enjoy the relaxed country life.
JoAn and her family were formerly active in St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colonial Park. JoAn was a certified remotivation therapist at Villa Teresa Nursing Home. She and Zim loved to spend time in the mountains, and they enjoyed dancing and listening to music. They had the good fortune to travel all over the world, including to Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska, and almost all of the United States. JoAn took amazing photographs of their adventures. She liked to create “sequin calendars” for her family, and Zim joked that JoAn left her sparkle all around the globe.
JoAn was a member of the Dandy Lions, volunteered for the local 4-H Group for the school district, and taught swimming lessons. JoAn’s family and friends were her pride and joy. She attended their plays, concerts, sports activities, and fundraisers and then started going to the same for the grandkids. JoAn was an avid flower gardener, amateur watercolorist, and accomplished crafter. She loved to entertain, throw parties, and just have fun! She and Zim enjoyed decorating their home for all the holidays, especially Christmas.
JoAn and her family created a fund to raise awareness and money for Lou Gehrig’s disease when Zim was diagnosed with ALS. They raised over $100,000 to be used locally at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey ALS Clinic. She also appeared on the Jerry Lewis Telethon to raise funds for ALS. JoAn always liked to be out helping people and making them smile.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that friends make donations to any of the following: the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, or Luthercare in Lebanon, PA.
A celebration of JoAn’s life will be private at the family’s discretion.
