Ronnie Zimmerman

RONNIE A. ZIMMERMAN 1956 - 2024

Ronnie A. Zimmerman, veteran, trucker, cookbook collector, western movie aficionado, and recliner cowboy, of Pecatonica, Illinois passed away at age 68 on October 24, 2024.

Ron was born on August 7, 1956 to Richard and Marilyn Zimmerman in Freeport, Illinois. He grew up in Pecatonica and graduated from Pecatonica High School. After graduation, Ron enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1975 to 1979. He completed tours throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean Islands.

Following his service in the Navy, Ron returned to Pecatonica and was employed by Maurice J. Brauer Trucking until he purchased the company and renamed it R. A. Zimmerman Trucking. He hauled grain to local elevators, livestock to market, and in the mid 1980’s, began hauling refrigerated product across the country. As a long hauler, Ron literally lived the Johnny Cash lyrics, “I’ve been everywhere, man” and developed a knack for remembering minute details of the
U.S. Interstate system. When he decided it was time to shed the trucker lifestyle and sleep in his own bed every night, Ron returned to Pecatonica and drove for local companies, eventually retiring from Mark Terry Trucking.

His love of the open road was born from his love of motorcycles. He turned to motorcycles after his childhood pony Sugar bit him and he traded her for a Honda 100. (Following the traumatic pony incident, he limited his interaction with horses to watching westerns on the big screen). His motorcycle collection grew over the years, including a first edition 1980 Harley Davidson Wide Glide.

Life on the road and eating at diners, truck stops, and dives gave him an appre- ciation for local cooking. He loved to research recipes, watch cooking shows, collect cookbooks, shop for cookware and gadgets, share spice catalogs, and try new restaurants. If ever asked how he liked a dish, his standard reply was, “Needs more pepper and a side of beans.”

The family enjoyed Ron’s generosity and spontaneous gift giving. For no occasion at all, he would bequest crock pots, red union suits, shoe calendars, motorcycle boots, lace tablecloths, coins bracelets from his travels, wine goblets from Europe, and even a Harley Davidson FLT. At Christmas, he was known to spend more on the dogs than the family.

Ron loved music and shared that love with his siblings. In 2017, the three ventured out on their first-ever unchaperoned road trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Although their ages represented a 16-year spread, their taste in music was universal. None the less, to ensure Sara and Dave wouldn’t mess up the playlist for his funeral, Ron chose the songs himself. The official “R. A. Zimmerman Playlist” includes Knocking on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan, Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum, Why Me by Kris Kristofferson, Ragged Old Flag by Johnny Cash, When the World Stops Turning by Alan Jackson, and (who doesn’t love?) American Soldier and Courtesy of the Red White and Blue by Toby Keith. Showing his little-known softer side, Ron also included Silent Night.

Ron’s Sunday Night Dinner Crew include his parents, Dick (known to Ron as “Richie”), Mari (whom he called “Helen”), Sister Sara (aka “Kid”), Brother Dave (aka “Maynard”), Sister-in-law Crystal (Dow) who got away with calling him by his proper name “Ronnie” and was his favorite sibling, Nephew Lucas (aka “Luke”), Niece Anna (aka “A.J.”), and furry friends Cash and Daisy. Clearly, Ronnie was fond of assigning nicknames.

Ron loved animals, but as a trucker was never able to keep a pet. To honor his love of animals and in lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging donations to Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 3:30 pm, with visitation at 1:00 pm, McCorkle Funeral Home, 203 W. 5th Street, Pecatonica, Illinois 61063. Following the services, all are welcome to join the family at the American Legion, 403 Main Street, Pecatonica, Illinois 61063, for food and drinks catered by his favorite restaurant, Bootie’s.

To honor his military service, Ron has chosen a Burial at Sea Committal Ceremony through the U.S. Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia.