Mary Louise Zimmerman

Mary Louise Zimmerman, 75, of New Philadelphia, died unexpectedly on Friday, October 19, 2007 in her home.A daughter of the late Robert and Bessie (Stucky) Swonger, Mary was born December 8, 1931 at Dover, Ohio.A 1949 graduate of Dover High School, she married the love of her life, Donald Zimmerman on December 31, 1950. Together, Mary and Don raised two children, Amy and Brad.Over the years, Mary participated in various activities which supported her church, her family and her community. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia where she once served as the president of the Women’s Society, taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. She was active in the Tuscarawas Avenue PTA and was instrumental in campaigning for the passage of the bond issue which resulted in the building of South Elementary School in the early 1970’s. Mary was also a local advocate for the American Heart Association. She organized many fundraisers, most notably tennis tournaments, in support of the association.She is survived by her loving husband, Donald Zimmerman with whom she would have celebrated 57 years of marriage this coming New Year’s Eve, her daughter, Amy Reiser and her husband Gene of New Philadelphia and son, Brad Zimmerman and his wife Zoe of Dover. Her grandchildren, Eric (Sharon) Reiser of New Philadelphia, Doug Reiser of Seattle, Washington, Tim Reiser of Cleveland, Ohio, Andy Zimmerman of Great Neck, New York, Mickey Zimmerman of Dover and a brother, Donald Swonger of Mt. Sterling, Ohio complete the family.Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her step-mother, Dorothy Swonger and two brothers, Eugene and Robert Swonger.In keeping with Mary’s wishes, cremation will take place under the care of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Monday, October 22, 2007 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia. A service celebrating Mary’s life will follow at 3 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Steven Bailey officiating. Following the service, a memorial reception will be held in the fellowship hall at the church.Contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 201 west High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663