Jon Cecil Zimmerman, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and respected figure in Lewistown, passed away on May 18, 2025, at the age of 79, surrounded by his family.
Jon Cecil Zimmerman is survived by his loving wife, Candice, and their four kids: Jared Zimmerman, affectionately known as Jed, Seth Zimmerman, Lucas Zimmerman, and Leah Zimmerman.
The former athlete, Zimmerman, and his wife, Candice, spent a blissful married life of 47 years until he took his last breath.
His son, Jed Zimmerman, took to his Facebook to express his grief. He wrote:
I made a post yesterday about my father passing, and I was asked to remove it. I’m reposting because I’m struggling with his passing, more than I thought I would. My father and I didn’t have a strong bond and my biggest regret is that I didn’t put in a better effort to fix that. He was a good man. I do love and miss you dad.
Jed Zimmerman
Jed Zimmerman, a Muskingum University graduate, works at First Quality, Lewistown. He has been married to Rosemarie A. Zimmerman since August 23, 2003.
Jon Cecil Zimmerman is also survived by their spouses, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren.
Zimmerman’s demise comes almost a month after he was inducted into the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame.
Dave Burman, his friend, wrote a lengthy congratulatory note on his induction, which reads:
Congrats to my longtime friend Jon Zimmerman, who will be inducted into the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame.
Dave Burman
Jon was an outstanding basketball player at old Kishacoquillas High School in Reedsville (Class of 1963) and then had a tremendous hoops and track career @ Dickinson College in Carlisle (Class of 1967).
Born on June 18, 1945, in Philadelphia, Jon grew up in Reedsville after his family moved there in 1951.
He graduated from Kishacoquillas High School in 1963 and Dickinson College in 1967. Later, he graduated from Penn State University with an MBA and an executive MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
Jon had a remarkable career in business. He worked at Standard Steel for nearly 20 years, helping lead a buyout in 1989 that strengthened the company.
After leaving Standard Steel in the 1990s, he owned and led businesses like Spin Forge International, Crider-Mitchell Construction, ACS Business World, and Octa, Inc., which managed hotels and restaurants.
Jon was deeply committed to his community; in 1978, he served on the Mifflin County School Board, helping merge local school districts.
He co-founded Downtown Lewistown, Inc., bringing investment and growth to the area, and served on the Lewistown Hospital Board during its transition to Geisinger Health System.
In recent years, he helped start the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame and served as its first president.
An accomplished athlete, Jon shone in basketball, golf, and track and field during high school and college.
He even earned a tryout for the Olympic high jump team and was honored in the Mifflin County and Dickinson College Sports Halls of Fame.
A gathering for friends will be held on Thursday, May 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Heller-Hoenstine Woodlawn, 200 North Main Street, Lewistown, PA.
A church service will follow on Friday, May 23, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 200 East Third Street, Lewistown, PA.
During this ordeal, we would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to Jon Cecil Zimmerman’s wife, kids, and extended family.
Rest Easy, Jon Cecil Zimmerman!
