Diana L. “Dizzy” (Confer) Zimmerman, 74, of Battle Creek, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence in Battle Creek.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 23, 2019 at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church in Battle Creek. Visitation will take place from 10:00 until 11:00 AM prior to the Memorial Mass. Interment will follow at East Hickory Cemetery in Hickory Corners. The family is being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Diana was born July 12, 1944 to Ivan O. and Betty M. (VanStrien) Confer in Battle Creek. A 1962 graduate of St. Philip High School she went on to attend Argubright Business College in Battle Creek and received a certificate in Data Processing. She married Karl Zimmerman in December of 1968 at St. Philip.
Before her marriage she worked for Federal Life and Casualty Company in Battle Creek and at the Battle Creek School System at Verona and Ann J. Kellogg Schools in the cafeterias. Diana was employed for 23 years at the Federal Center in Battle Creek from 1977 until her retirement in April of 2000. She was employed by DLSC in the Key-Punch, Data Entry and Computer Rooms. She was the Supervisor for the Data Entry Department for 8 years. She also worked for DRMS from 1996 until her retirement. Diana started work at Baily Park Thriftway as a cashier on May 19, 2006 and worked there until 2014.
Diana had attended St. Philip Roman Catholic Church. She was a campfire leader during the 1970’s at Verona School. She enjoyed watching NASCAR Races, crafting, reading, baking cookies, riding in the semi with her husband after she retired, collecting bells from all the different states they visited. She had a collection of over 200 bells in all different shapes and sizes.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years Karl; her daughter, Georgenia H. Kilbourne of Southern Pines, N. Carolina; her son, Tim L. Zimmerman of Battle Creek; her grandchildren, Curtis R. (Ashley) Kilbourne of Grand Rapids and PFC Sara H. (Steve) Jufer of Washington; her 3 great grandchildren; her brother, Donald R. (Vickie) Waters of Lacey; several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and a couple of great- great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her special friend who has been like a sister Kathy Philo of Burlington. Diana was preceded in death by her parents; step-son Garry Zimmerman who died in infancy; brothers, Howard Waters, Jr., Larry Waters and Thomas I. Confer; sisters, Betty J. Waters, Marilyn R. Duston and Sandra K. Anderson; niece, Cynthia A. Waters; nephew, Christopher Confer and a great nephew Matthew Myers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Diabetes Association.