Obituary for Joan C. Zimmerman
Heaven gained another angel when Joan (nee Davis) Zimmerman, age 90, passed away April 3, 2024.
Born July 5, 1933, in Pittsburgh, Pa., Joan grew up in Weirton, W. Va., graduated high school in 1951, and received her nursing certification from Ohio Valley Nursing School.
Joan married Ernie Zimmerman in 1956, and moved to Ohio in the late 1950s, where they raised their four children. Originally a Cleveland Clinic nurse, Joan was an operating room supervisor at Suburban Community Hospital and at The Center for Plastic Surgery for 14 years, before working as a visiting nurse in Port Charlotte, Fla.
A majorette and an avid softball player in high school, Joan turned her athletic ability to golf. She became a scratch golfer at Misty Creek Country Club in Sarasota, playing in many tournaments. She loved golfing with her kids and even beat them a time or two!
After losing husband Ernie in 1989, Joan bought and ran Crawdad’s Restaurant in Venice, Fla. She had the perfect personality to welcome all with a smile, a wink and a drink. Joan could always be counted on to sing “Country Roads” on Karaoke nights and clog to “Rocky Top,” when the band played on weekends.
Joan married Milton Thibeault in 1993. When they weren’t golfing, they spent a lot of time in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. Joan loved the sunshine, blue sea water, and dancing to Bob Marley’s greatest hits. Rumor has it she even sampled Jamaica’s most popular export, marijuana, but didn't like it!
After losing Milt, Joan focused her time on those she loved best, her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time with her granddaughters…teaching them to sing songs, and take walks in the woods, looking at nature. She spent plenty of time at cookouts and dinners with her kids. This is when Joan began her love of wine with “pinot noir and ice” being her favorite.
Though not looking for it, Joan was lucky to find love again with Frank Aruta. While only together for 15 years, Frank and Joan fit a LOT in those years. They were always taking trips to Ohio to see family, going on cruises and seeing shows in Sarasota with friends, and of course…golfing together. Joanie loved to dance with Frank; they could really cut the rug whether at local dinner dances or just in their own living room at home. Though she retired, Joan was still a nurse and kept up her certification in Florida. She would do free blood pressure readings for any who wanted them during the weekly Saturday club meetings. Joan even dressed up as a purple bumble bee and danced to Flying Purple People Eater for the club talent show.
Joan is survived by her children, Leslie (Rich Niemczura), Lesa, Chris (Jennifer Zimmerman) and Laurie; step-mother of Michelle (Eddie Olson); grandchildren, Hannah Vidmar (Bryan Taylor), Taylor Zimmerman and Haley Vidmar (Mike Martin); sister of Bette Burns and Bill Davis; sister-in-law of Alice Janet "AJ" Starkey and Nancy Zimmerman; and aunt of many nieces and nephews. She also leaves her beloved beau, Frank Aruta.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ernie; dear second husband, Milt Thibeault; parents, Agnes and William “Hap” Davis; brothers-in-law, Bill Zimmerman and Skip Starkey; along with her many aunts and uncles.
Joan had such a zest for life. Her kids hope you can attend her Memorial to share funny stories and would love to hear your favorite memories of their mom. Family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 12, at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 38001 Euclid Ave., Willoughby.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Joan’s name to the Lake County Humane Society, 7564 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060. Joanie loved her animals…dogs and cats especially.
To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.
Born July 5, 1933, in Pittsburgh, Pa., Joan grew up in Weirton, W. Va., graduated high school in 1951, and received her nursing certification from Ohio Valley Nursing School.
Joan married Ernie Zimmerman in 1956, and moved to Ohio in the late 1950s, where they raised their four children. Originally a Cleveland Clinic nurse, Joan was an operating room supervisor at Suburban Community Hospital and at The Center for Plastic Surgery for 14 years, before working as a visiting nurse in Port Charlotte, Fla.
A majorette and an avid softball player in high school, Joan turned her athletic ability to golf. She became a scratch golfer at Misty Creek Country Club in Sarasota, playing in many tournaments. She loved golfing with her kids and even beat them a time or two!
After losing husband Ernie in 1989, Joan bought and ran Crawdad’s Restaurant in Venice, Fla. She had the perfect personality to welcome all with a smile, a wink and a drink. Joan could always be counted on to sing “Country Roads” on Karaoke nights and clog to “Rocky Top,” when the band played on weekends.
Joan married Milton Thibeault in 1993. When they weren’t golfing, they spent a lot of time in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. Joan loved the sunshine, blue sea water, and dancing to Bob Marley’s greatest hits. Rumor has it she even sampled Jamaica’s most popular export, marijuana, but didn't like it!
After losing Milt, Joan focused her time on those she loved best, her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time with her granddaughters…teaching them to sing songs, and take walks in the woods, looking at nature. She spent plenty of time at cookouts and dinners with her kids. This is when Joan began her love of wine with “pinot noir and ice” being her favorite.
Though not looking for it, Joan was lucky to find love again with Frank Aruta. While only together for 15 years, Frank and Joan fit a LOT in those years. They were always taking trips to Ohio to see family, going on cruises and seeing shows in Sarasota with friends, and of course…golfing together. Joanie loved to dance with Frank; they could really cut the rug whether at local dinner dances or just in their own living room at home. Though she retired, Joan was still a nurse and kept up her certification in Florida. She would do free blood pressure readings for any who wanted them during the weekly Saturday club meetings. Joan even dressed up as a purple bumble bee and danced to Flying Purple People Eater for the club talent show.
Joan is survived by her children, Leslie (Rich Niemczura), Lesa, Chris (Jennifer Zimmerman) and Laurie; step-mother of Michelle (Eddie Olson); grandchildren, Hannah Vidmar (Bryan Taylor), Taylor Zimmerman and Haley Vidmar (Mike Martin); sister of Bette Burns and Bill Davis; sister-in-law of Alice Janet "AJ" Starkey and Nancy Zimmerman; and aunt of many nieces and nephews. She also leaves her beloved beau, Frank Aruta.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ernie; dear second husband, Milt Thibeault; parents, Agnes and William “Hap” Davis; brothers-in-law, Bill Zimmerman and Skip Starkey; along with her many aunts and uncles.
Joan had such a zest for life. Her kids hope you can attend her Memorial to share funny stories and would love to hear your favorite memories of their mom. Family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 12, at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 38001 Euclid Ave., Willoughby.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Joan’s name to the Lake County Humane Society, 7564 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060. Joanie loved her animals…dogs and cats especially.
To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.