Earl Rissler Zimmerman

Earl Rissler Zimmerman 92 died peacefully on September 7, 2026, at Lancaster General Hospital. Earl was born in Ephrata and made his home in Millersville. Growing up on the family farm, he was the fourth son and the fourth of nine children of the late Katie and Clayton Zimmerman of Ephrata. Earl was a life-long dairyman working first for Moore Dairy and, later, for Turkey Hill Dairy from where he retired in 1995 after more than twenty years of service. Earl, a quiet and kind man, lived his faith. Earl completed his alternative service in New Jersey in 1955 before joining the Hempfield Church of the Brethren where he served in multiple capacities during his seventy-year membership. Earl volunteered his weekends and holidays to keep the lawn mowed at the Millersville Mennonite Children's Home and built homes in Lancaster with Habitat for Humanity. He was a member of multiple mission trips to Nigeria, Santo Domingo, and Chile, as well as a very reliable volunteer with disaster relief teams helping East Coast communities rebuild following floods, hurricanes, fires, and other disasters. Earl loved to travel, go fishing, eat ice cream, and watch baseball.

He was the loving husband of Betty (Hurst) and celebrated 71 years of marriage. In addition to his wife he is survived by 4 sons: Donald (Kimberly); Earl Jay; Douglas (Helen); and Rodney. Earl was grandfather to Michael (Margaret), Matthew (Allyson), Amelia, Isabella and great grandfather to Eleanor, Westley, Nathanial and Marigold. He is also survived by brothers John and Leon and sister Ruthie Horst, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Earl was proceeded in death by siblings Paul, Ivan, Clayton, Earla (Martin), and Anna (Reinhold).

The family would like to express gratitude and thanks to the staff at Magnolias of Lancaster for the kind and supportive care provided to Earl during his stay there.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a celebration of life service for Earl at Hempfield Church of the Brethren, 1186 Stevens Street, Manheim Pa 17545, on Saturday October 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM. There will be a time of visitation with the family at the church from 10:30 AM until the time of service with a luncheon immediately following the service. Interment will be private in Salunga Cemetery. The Zimmerman family requests in lieu of flowers donations in remembrance of Earl be made in his name to the Re-Uzit shop in Columbia (https://mccthrift.com/donate) or Hospice and Community Care 685 Good Drive Lancaster, PA. To send the family online condolences please visit, www.snyderfuneralhome.com.