The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Zimmerman, age 95, was called to victory in his Lord, Jesus Christ, on January 28, 2013 at Munson Medical Center following a brief illness. Paul was born on June 25, 1918, the son of Albert and Hannah Zimmerman, of Danville, Illinois.

He married Genevieve E. Zimmerman, also of Danville, Illinois on June 11, 1944. Genevieve preceded him in death on December 20, 2010. He is survived by daughter Karmin J. Philp and husband Raymond of Traverse City, and son the Rev. Thomas P. Zimmerman and wife Marsha of Fort Wayne, IN, and by grandchildren: Rev. Dr. Paul A. Philp (Sharon), Rev. Luke Zimmerman, Mark Zimmerman, John Zimmerman and Kristin (Steven) Carroll; and great-grandchildren Natalie and Genevieve Philp and Jack, Owen and James Carroll.

He was a graduate of Concordia College, Fort Wayne, Indiana and of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri where he was named the Distinguished Alumnus in May of 2012. He earned a Masters of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Illinois. He served as professor at Bethany College, Mankato, Minnesota and Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska. He was selected to be President of Concordia Teachers College in 1954. In July of 1961, he was selected to be the founding President of Concordia Lutheran Junior College, Ann Arbor, Michigan where he served until 1973. At Ann Arbor, he was charged with the responsibility of overseeing the building of the campus, selection of faculty and recruitment of the student body. In 1973, he was selected to be President of Concordia College, River Forest, Illinois where he served until his retirement in 1983.

Beyond serving the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) as college professor and president, he also served as a special assistant to two presidents of the LCMS. During his service as special assistant to Dr. Jacob Preus he was chairman of the Fact Finding Committee that investigated the doctrinal aberrations occurring at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He twice served as a consultant to Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne in their accreditation process. He served as Pastor of St. Luke, Harrison Michigan from 1984-1989. He also served as vacancy pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Leland and Trinity Lutheran Church, Traverse City.

He was an author and editor of several books on evolution, theology and church history. He was a lover of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and served as Chairman of the LCMS Board for Missions.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2014 at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 912 South Garfield Ave. Traverse City.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2014 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and at St. Michael's Lutheran Church on Friday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

Memorials may be given to the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod's Mission Advancement Fund, 1333 S. Kirkwood, St. Louis. MO 63122 or the Concordia Theological Seminary, 6600 N. Clinton, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825.

The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.