Obituary of Joan Louise Zimmer

She was born Joan Louise Wissel in Queens, New York, on December 13, 1934, the youngest of two children of Charles Phillip Wissel and Bertha Augusta Winter – in the middle of the Great Depression.

Joan quietly passed away on August 2, 2017 from cancer. She was surrounded by loving family members and caregivers during the last days of her life.

Joan met and married her first husband, Donald Otto Wirth on June 9, 1956, producing 4 children. They lived in Ithaca, New York while Donald attended Cornell Veterinary College, settling in Massapequa Park, NY and finally in Deer Park, New York.  On June 28, 1975, Joan married Charles John Zimmer, and together, they raised their combined families of seven children.

Joan is survived by her 2nd husband Charles, of 42 years, 3 of her 4 children (and spouses), from her first marriage; Brian Wirth, Victoria Rose (Jeff), David Wirth (Sharon) and daughter-in-law TJ Wirth; stepchildren (and spouses) Nancy Bauer (George), Christine Ferrall (Tom), Charles Zimmer (Barbara). She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, sister Helen Alm and her eldest son, Donald Raymond Wirth.

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