Jon Cecil Zimmerman, husband, father, grandfather, business and community leader, passed away on May 18, surrounded by his loving family. He was 79 years old.

Jon was born on June 18, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA, but spent most of his youth in Reedsville, PA, after his family settled there in 1951. He graduated from Kishacoquillas High School in 1963, Dickinson College in 1967 with a B.A., and later earned an MBA from Penn State University and an executive MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Jon had a varied and successful business career.  He worked at Standard Steel for nearly 20 years, eventually helping lead a management buyout of the company in 1989. This positioned the company for continued growth as an international leader in machined steel rings, until the end of the Cold War dramatically reduced defense spending globally. He left Standard Steel in the mid-90s, thereafter leading and owning numerous businesses large and small, including Spin Forge International (steel forging and machining), Crider-Mitchell Construction (general contractor), ACS Business World (office equipment, technology and supplies), and Octa, Inc. (owner and manager of hotels and restaurants).

Jon was active as a community leader throughout his life. In 1978, he was elected to the Mifflin County School Board, helping navigate the consolidation of the area’s numerous school districts. He helped found and served as President of Downtown Lewistown, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization and promotion of downtown Lewistown, which has attracted significant government grants and business investment to the area. He served on the Board of Directors of the Lewistown Hospital during and after its acquisition by the Geisinger Health System. In recent years, he helped found and served as the first President of the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame.

A natural athlete, Jon excelled in basketball, golf, and track and field in both high school and college, earning an invitation to try out for the Olympic high jump team. He was inducted into two sports halls of fame—Mifflin County and Dickinson College–for his athletic accomplishments.

Jon is survived and missed by his best friend and loving wife Candice (Crider) of 57 years, and their four children: Jared (Jed) Zimmerman of Thompsontown, PA, Seth Zimmerman of Gibsonia, PA, Lucas Zimmerman of State College, PA, and Leah Zimmerman of State College, PA. He is also survived by their spouses, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.

Jon was known for his quick wit, unfailing kindness, and unwavering generosity. Those who knew him best will remember his fondness of dinner outings with friends, passion for sports, love of 60s music, and lifelong pride in Mifflin County.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Home, Woodlawn, 200 N. Main St., Lewistown, on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 5:00-8:00 PM.

A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Lewistown, 200 E. 3rd St., Lewistown, on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Downtown Lewistown, Inc. (http://downtownlewistown.com/