Ronald George Zimmerman

Ronald George Zimmerman, 74, of Drums, passed away Monday afternoon, January 13, 2025, at his residence in Drums, following a three-year illness.

Born August 31, 1950, he was a resident of Drums his entire life and enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and the great outdoors.

He was a graduate of Hazleton Area High School class of 1968, where he lettered in the wrestling program.  He was also a graduate of DeVry Computer Education Institute, Philadelphia; class of 1969.

Ronald entered the United States Marine Corps in September of 1969.  After graduating boot camp, he graduated from Electronics A School, Jacksonville, FL; and served on numerous Marine Corp and Naval Air Stations within the United States, including Hawaii, and in the Asian Theater of Operations to include Japan, Okinawa, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, South Viet Nam, along with a few locations that “he wasn’t there.” Eventually serving in all three Marine Air Wings Groups and all four Marine Divisions, during eight-plus years of active-duty service.

He transferred to Marine Reserve Motor Transport Unit WTS 47, Wyoming, PA and served an additional 15 years with the unit as a Motor Transport Maintenance Chief, Senior Military Instructor and NBC Advanced Warfare Specialist, retiring as a Master Sergeant E-8 in 1990.  He was awarded numerous medals to include the Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Marine Corps Good Conduct with one Bronze Star, Marine Corps Reserve Good Conduct with two Bronze Stars, 15 year Honorable Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and also became one of the few Marines to qualify as an Expert Rifle and Pistol shooter both right and left handed.

Ronald was employed by PPL as a Transformer Repair Technician from 1978 to 1984, and a Fire Protection Specialist from 1984 until his retirement in 2009.  He also served as a Certified Red Cross First Aid Instructor in CPR for the company.

He spent 30 years coaching the Drums 13-15 Babe Ruth baseball team as well as four years in the 16-18 Division. Teams captured numerous Division, League, and District Titles during his tenure in the Valley Babe Ruth League.  He also served as Valley Babe Ruth League President for 14 years, Assistant District 4 Commissioner for six years, and became the Pennsylvania State Commissioner in 1998 until 2019.

Ronald also served nine years as Chairperson of the Board and President of Butler Township Athletic Association, served on the Board of Directors of the Butler Township Recreation Authority for eight years, was Chairperson of the Butler Township Festival for six years and served as an EMT for six years with the Butler Township Ambulance.

He was an active member of the Butler Township American Legion Post 795 having served as Post Adjutant, Financial Officer, Sgt-at-Arms, and Athletic Officer.  Ronald was a member of the Babe Ruth Alumni Association, Trenton, NJ; and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in 2007.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry A. and Barbara D. (Crist) Zimmerman; and a son, Bradley David Zimmerman in 2002.

Surviving are his wife Debbie (Bell) to whom he would have been married 52 years on January 20, 2025; a daughter, Tanya Albertson, Drums; and her ex husband, Randal Albertson, Freeland; two grandchildren, Samantha McDonald, Drums; and Kailey Zimmerman and her partner Karyn Diehl, Danville; a sister, Barbara Fedder, Drums; several nephews and nieces and his emotional support dog, Chewy.  

His funeral will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11 AM from Harman Funeral Homes and Crematory Inc. (East), 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums.  Burial will follow in Drums Community Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 5 PM to 8 PM.

Memorial donations can be made to Gift of Life Howie’s House, 401 Callowhill St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 or online at www.giftoflifehowieshouse.org.

Online condolences can be entered, and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.

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