Edward R. Zimmerman

Zimmerman, Edward R. “Zimmie” 68 beloved husband, father, grandfather, and “Coach” passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family following a long battle with heart disease.  Zimmie was born Born December 19, 1946 in Johnstown with a congenital heart defect  and was one of the very first to undergo open heart surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland without the use of a heart and lung machine. He was the son of the late Thomas H. and Mildred I. (Evans) Zimmerman. Also preceded in death by mother and father in-law Russell and Blodwin (Phillips) Hildebrand, brother & sister in-law Robert and Nancy Kopsic, brother in-law Ira “Sonny” Hildebrand, sister in-laws Linda and Carol Hildebrand all of Johnstown.  Survived by his loving wife of 44 years Minnie (Hildebrand). Daughters, Melissa married to Michael Lux, Jennifer married to William Horner, Marci Walker, and Julie married to Jeremy Fecko. Grandchildren, Darien and Lillian Lux, Kayleigh and Will Horner, Jacob and TJ Walker, and Jude and Jonah Fecko, and step-grandson Jakob Fecko all of Johnstown.  Brother Thomas (Patricia), numerous brother and sister in-laws, nieces, nephews and his fur-son Fluffy. Eddie was a 1964 graduate of Johnstown High School and a 1967 graduate of Westchester State.  He was a retired Richland High School teacher and Head Coach of Wrestling from 1969-1998. His teaching and coaching career started at Garfield. He led 16 winning seasons with a career record of 201-188-7.  He coached 14 District 6 champions a state champ and state runner up.  He led his team to a pair of second-place finishes and was District 6 Coach of the Year in 1976.  Under his watch, Richland started elementary and junior high programs as well as a boosters club.  He was instrumental in organizing and leading 10 cultural exchange wrestling teams.  Zimmie was inducted in to the District 6 Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2010.  He was the founder of the area’s “Takedown” tournaments in the early 70’s.    His career also included coaching Football and Track as well as “The Voice of Richland” sideline reporter. While wrestling was his first love he thoroughly enjoyed helping out with the Johnstown Johnnies and he and his wife hosted several frontier league baseball players in their home. He was an avid lifelong Pittsburgh Steeler Fan and season ticket holder.  He loved taking his family on vacations, camping, boating ,fishing and golfing. He was a member of the National Coast Guard.  His favorite vacation spot was Topsail Island, North Carolina where he and his family enjoyed many vacations together.  Our husband and father was described by all to be full of life, a great role model, an essential innovator in the Wrestling Community and a benevolent humanitarian.  His legacy is large and many his accomplishments that were not mentioned will forever live on in those who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed and we will forever cherish the memories he has left us.  In lieu of flowers donations made be made to the Zimmie’s Heart Fund at any FNB location.  Friends and Family will be received on Tuesday from 2-8 at Harris Funeral Home 500 Cherry Lane, Richland, where service will be held at 1pm Wednesday. Rev. David Streets, officiating.