Date of death: 2/24/2022
Saint Meinrad Class: T 1995
Rev. David M. Zimmerman, of Elcho, died Thursday, February 24, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital following a very short battle with cancer. He was 65 years old. He was born on June 15, 1956, in Antigo a son of Irvin and Eleanor (Hartl) Zimmerman.
After graduating from Antigo High School in 1974, Father Zimmerman attended the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
While discerning his call to the priesthood he worked as a Social Worker and as a factory laborer.
He attended St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana, and was ordained Priest for the Diocese of Green Bay on June 3, 1995, by Bishop Robert J. Banks.
His first priestly appointment was as Associate Pastor of Holy Innocents Parish, Manitowoc. In 1997 he was appointed Associate Pastor of Holy Family Parish, Marinette. In 2000 he was named Temporary Administrator of St. Mary Parish, Peshtigo. In 2001 he was appointed Temporary Administrator of St. Edward Parish, Wagner while remaining Temporary Administrator of St. Mary Parish, Peshtigo. In 2004 he was named Associate Pastor of St. John-Sacred Heart Parish in Sherwood/Saint John and St. Mary Parish, Stockbridge and St. Mary Parish, Hilbert. Then in 2005 he was appointed Pastor of St. John-Sacred Heart Parish, Sherwood/Saint John and St. Mary Parish, Stockbridge and St. Mary Parish, Hilbert. In 2007 he was named Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Clarks Mills and St. Michael Parish, Whitelaw. Finally, in 2013 he was appointed Pastor of Holy Family Parish, Elcho and St. Mary Parish, Pickerel where he served for the last nine years.
While Pastor of St. John-Sacred Heart Parish, Sherwood/Saint John, St. Mary Parish, Stockbridge and St. Mary Parish, Hilbert, Father Zimmerman served the diocese through a five year term on the College of Consultors and a three year term on the Presbyteral Council.
Father’s skills included being a musician playing the trumpet, french horn, piano, organ, guitar and banjo. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, and had been taking Tae Kwon Do lessons attaining the rank of Red Belt.
Survivors include three brothers, Robert (Kathy) Zimmerman of DePere, Richard (Rose) Zimmerman of Tucson, Arizona, Thomas (Janet) Zimmerman of Aniwa; nieces, nephews and many friends.