Belvidere, IllinoisHoward E. Zimmer, 83, of Belvidere, Illinois died peacefully, Monday evening, July 19, 2010 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center with his loving family gathered. Howard was born December 19, 1926 in Harvard, Illinois the son of Menno and Loretta (Scott) Zimmer. He served our country in the US Army during World War II. In the European Theater where he received the Army of Occupation Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. He married Doris J. Watkins in Belvidere on March 15, 1959. Howard retired from Sundstrand Corp as a tech writer. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church and a former church trustee. Howard had an adventurist spirit. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, taking many day trips with his wife and having ridden the Blue Ridge Parkway. He was a private pilot and owned an Ercoupe. He enjoyed many flights to Lake Lawn for breakfast. Howard built his own wood ski boat and enjoyed time waterskiing with his family. He was true to his community and was a member of the John Hugo Kaiser Post 1461 VFW, American Legion Boone Post 77 and the Belvidere Moose Lodge 295.Howard is loved and will be missed by his wife, Doris; children, Brian (Sheri) Zimmer of Roscoe, Pam (Dan) Hulvey of Mt. Morris; grandchildren, Jenessa, Cassandra, Trevor, Brooke and Ross; sister Lorraine (Ted) Kiefer of Belvidere and nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, brother, Maynard and sister, Joyce.

Memorials can be given in care of First Baptist Church or the Parkinson's Foundation in his memory.