Elda E. Zimmerman, age 89 years, of Archbold, passed away on Monday, August 1, 2016, at the Defiance Inpatient Hospice.  She was born on February 2, 1927, in Groveland, IL, to Alvin and Matilda Birkey.  She received Jesus as her personal Savior as a youth.  She married Charles L. Zimmerman on January 24, 1947.  A great homemaker, Elda was a supportive pastor's wife and loving mother and grandmother.  She was a good hostess in and out of her home and worked for five enjoyable years as a hostess at The Barn Restaurant after raising her family.  She enjoyed her retirement home in the Fairlawn Community.  She and Charles traveled and served with The Sowers and volunteered at Miracle Camp.  Elda spent the last two and a half years in the Special Care Neighborhood at Fairlawn Haven.

She is survived by her husband; four children, David (Elizabeth) Zimmerman of Bryson City, NC, Rebecca (Gary) Gates of Harlan, In, Marlene (Todd) Habegger of Grayslake, IL and Susan (Hal) Lehman of Leo, IN; 13 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers and their spouses.

Elda was a member of the Archbold Evangelical Church where visitation will be from 3 – 8 PM on Wednesday, August 3.  The burial service will be at 9:30 AM Thursday at the Pettisville Cemetery.  An 11 AM service will follow in the Archbold Evangelical Church with Pastors Stuart Rex and Jesse Kahler officiating.  Short Funeral Home in Archbold has been entrusted with the arrangements.  Memorials may be made to the Archbold Evangelical Church or to the donor's favorite charity. abegger of Grayslake, HHHHH