OBITUARY
S. SGT. FLOYD H. ZIMMER
Floyd Henry Zimmer, eldest child of Percy and Maude L. Zimmer, was born at Russell, Iowa, November 16, 1919, and was reported missing in action over the western European area February 16, 1943, at the age of 23 years and 3 months. His father preceded him in death August 28, 1939.
He graduated from Russell high school in May 1937. In October of the same year he entered the First National Television School in Kansas City, Missouri, where he took a course in radio and television, graduating in 1938. He operated a servicing shop in Russell for a few months and later was employed by the Alline Electric Co. in Ottumwa, Iowa, where he was working when he offered his services in the defense of our country, enlisting in the Army Air Corps at Fort Dodge, Iowa on August 18, 1941.
He received more radio training at Scott Field, near St. Louis. In March, 1942, he was transferred to Morrison Field, Florida, graduating in May.
From there he was sent to Patterson Field in Ohio, where he met the crew he was to fly to England with in June.
He was chief radio mechanic, assistant radio operator and operator of two guns on a B-24 Liberator.
He was never home after entering the service, but wrote many comforting letters to his loved ones, telling them of how he loved his work and of his great faith in "The Father who doeth all things well." He gave his heart to the Lord when a small boy, was a faithful member of the Methodist church where he served in the choir, was teacher of a Sunday school class and Supt. of the Sunday school. He was also Scout Master of the Russell organization when he entered the service.
He leaves to mourn their loss, his mother; one sister, Mrs. Ralph Miller; one niece, one nephew, other relatives and a host of friends who mourn for one who gave his life in the service of his country.
Memorial services were held at the Methodist church in Russell, Sunday afternoon, March 12, at 2:30 p.m. Rev. David W. Ash officiated, Rev. W. H. Thompson assisted and Major W. L. Wade, stationed with the Army Air Corps at Drake University in Des Moines, presented the Purple Heart and Air Corps Medals.
Source: The Chariton Leader, Chariton, IA - Tuesday, March 14, 1944
S/Sgt. Floyd Henry Zimmer
Born:16 Nov 1919, Russell, Adams County, Iowa
Age: 23
Family:
Percy Calcin Zimmer (father)
Maude Lucretia (Baker) Zimmer (mother)
Mildred L Zimmer (sister)
Sources: American Air Museum, Roger Freeman Collection; Ancestry.com; US Census, 1930; Find A Grave
Sgt. Floyd Henry Zimmer is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England and has a cenotaph in Russell Cemetery, Russell, IA.
Sources: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
