John E. Zimmer

John E. Zimmer, 76, of Alton, Illinois passed away at 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at University Nursing and Rehab in Edwardsville. John was born June 14, 1944 in Alton. He has lived his life with cerebral palsy beyond the years expected but has lived the life given with much love and support from his mother and sister. He always had a smile, loved visits with family, never complained, cherished holidays, traveling and was always flirting with the girls. He could never read or write but was able to play the organ like no other. From an early age, he had a love for music, always enjoyed watching the Lawrence Welk Show and Hee-Haw, was able to attend concerts and thoroughly enjoyed listening to Elvis. Always collecting, he loved his snowglobes, music boxes and rocks. He enjoyed his years of participating in the Special Olympics, loved looking at the pictures in his stacks of National Geographics and was a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan. He enjoyed his workshops with Challenge Unlimited, Helping Hands in Cherokee Village, Arkansas and various other groups throughout the years. He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Mildred K. “Mickey” (Reed) and Charles “Chuck” Lawhorn; his father, John Bernard Zimmer and his brother-in-law, Paul Corbin. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Corbin of Alton; nephew, Chuck Corbin of Alton niece, Lisa (Rick) Wahl of Brighton; nephew, Ken (Jason Denton) Corbin of Hartford; great niece, Hope Izard Lair of Alton and step-brother, Rich Lawhorn of Kentucky. In celebration of his life, visitation will be held at Pitchford Funeral Home, 2555 Vaughn Road in Wood River on Saturday, March 6, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Father Steven Janoski officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto. Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children in St. Louis, Special Olympics of Illinois or to a charity of one’s choice. Irwin Chapel of Granite City in charge of arrangements. www.irwinchapel.com