Darlene Marie Zimmer passed away Wednesday December 10, 2014 at ManorCare Health Services in Camp Hill Pa. where she had been a patient since September. She has joyfully reunited with her husband Harold Zimmer whom she married in 1950 and who preceded her in death in June 2001. She was born on July 15, 1930, the daughter of C. Harvey and Mabel Portzline Klock. She was a proud graduate of the 1948 class of Trevorton High School and attended many class reunions, most recently in 2013.
She came to Harrisburg after her graduation from high school to work at Pennsylvania Thresherman and Farmers Insurance Co. now known as Penn National Insurance, where she met Harold. Shortly after their marriage Harold's job with State Auto Insurance took them to Hagerstown, MD where they remained until being transferred to Camp Hill, PA in 1968. After being a very devoted stay at home mother she returned to the work force to work for her son when he started Kerry's Lawn and Garden Equipment in 1975 and worked there until March 2014. She loved the Portzline Family Reunions at Knoebels Grove Park and family vacations at Avalon, Wildwood Crest and Diamond Beach, NJ. She took exceptional pride in and was devoted to her family and always put others before herself. She will be remembered as a wonderful cook and baker, especially for her many varieties of Christmas cookies and candy.
She is survived by and will be missed by her children Linda Machado Paterson (Gary), Kerry (Dorinda), Lori, granddaughters Karissa Zimmer and Ashley Machado and great-granddaughter Madalyn. She also is survived by sisters Nancy Aunspach (Edwin) and Marilyn Troutman, brother Leon Klock (Betty), sister-in-law Janet Klock and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers Donald, Russell, Fred, John, Robert and Chester Klock, sister Jean Wasson and son-in –law Howard Machado.
She was a life-long Lutheran having grown up as a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Trevorton then, with Harold, was a very active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Hagerstown. They joined St. Timothy Lutheran Church upon moving to Camp Hill. She always appreciated the support of the St. Timothy congregation during her illnesses and at the time of her passing was looking forward to another visit from the Christmas carolers.
Services will be held at 11 am Monday, December 15 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 4200 Carlisle Pike, Camp, Hill. Private entombment will be in Rolling Green Memorial Park, Lower Allen Township. Viewing will be at Myers-Harner Funeral Home, Camp Hill Sunday, December 14 from 2 – 4 pm and also in the church on Monday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Because Darlene's favorite color was red and she was wearing a red suit when she first caught Harold's eye the family invites friends and family to wear red to the service. Arrangements are being handled by Myers-Harner Funeral Home, Camp Hill.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in her memory be made to St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 4200 Carlisle Pike, Camp Hill PA, 17011.
The family wishes to express its thanks to the nursing staff of ManorCare's third floor and to Homeland Hospice for the care and support provided to Darlene.