Richard C. Zimmerman, 83, of Frackville, passed away, Monday evening at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, with his family by his side.

Born in Ringtown, he was a son of the late Maurice “Hap” and Mabel Hodgert Zimmerman.  He was a graduate of Frackville High School.

Richard was a retired Master Sergeant, aka “Zimmy” of the US Air force, and served for 40 years in the military.  He was stationed with the 327^th Airlift Squadron, NAS Willow Grove, PA and was a Chief Flight Engineer.  He was on alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis and saw combat in Desert Storm.  He flew as the Chief Flight Engineer on the Fairchild C-119 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, both of which were troop, medivac and cargo transport aircraft.

He was a member of the American Legion Post #398, Masonic Lodge #737 , the B.P.O. Elks, Lodge #1533, all of Frackville; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Richard was active in the community having been elected to the Shenandoah Valley School Board; a member of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit Board; he also served on the Schuylkill County Zoning Board, the West Mahanoy Township Zoning Board; a former member of the Frackville Area Municipal Authority and was a Republican Committeeman in West Mahanoy Township.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife Leona Zimmerman and a brother Donald W. “Tex” Zimmerman.

Richard is survived by his wife of 21 years, Pauline Kopey Searles Zimmerman; a daughter Dana Zimmerman Goodman and husband Robert; Tampa, FL; a son; David Zimmerman and wife Danielle; Allentown, step-daughter, Lynne Searles Napoli and husband Thomas, Charlotte, NC; step-son Richard Searles and wife Diane, Sheppton; grandchildren; Kevin Zimmerman, Brittany Zimmerman, Brooke Cruz, Eva and Samantha Goodman, Nicholas and Collin Searles; a sister; Nancy Maglosky, Frackville; Nieces, Elly Sanayka and Elizabeth Zimmerman;  Nephews, Donny Zimmerman and Nick Sanayka

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon at the Albert L. Gricoski Funeral Home, Frackville. Religious Services will be held Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. James Jadick, officiating.  Visitation with family, again, Tuesday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home.  Interment with Military Honors will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Richard’s name to Holy Ascension Orthodox Church Building Fund, 209 S. Lehigh Ave., Frackville, PA  17931.