Joseph "Mule Man" Zimmerman

Joseph “Mule Man” Zimmerman, age 78, of Chatham, died unexpectedly and peacefully Wednesday morning, November 6, 2024 at his home in Chatham, while going out to care for his beloved mules. Joe was born on October 22, 1946 in Jackson, Michigan to the late Harold and Virgina (Paine) Zimmerman. He attended Northwest High School and then Leslie High School. Joe entered into the U.S. Navy in August of 1964. Joe was a member of the United States Naval Construction Battalion known as the Seabees. He served two tours in Vietnam where he was an equipment operator building roadways and infrastructure. Joe was honorably discharged in August of 1967 as BUL 3rd Class, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Fleet Marine Force Combat Insignia and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Joe married Shirley Craft and together they had two children. Joe worked in construction and then with his uncle on the dairy farm. He had a love for animals and an innate knowledge of what their needs were and how to care for them. Joe managed many different herds some with over 500 head of dairy cows. He was awarded Most Improved Herd by the National DHIA. Joe studied cattle management and breeding at Graham School in Garnett, KS and animal studies at North American School of Animal Sciences and laboratory animal care through Ralston Purina Company. Joe ran his own cattle insemination company and continued to help the herds all over the state. In 1978, he started driving truck for Dawn Food Products and retired in 2006. Joe married Rebecca Frisby-Beardsley on November 21, 1980. Joe and Becky loved to take their horses to the Upper Peninsula for weeklong packing trips and fell in love with the U.P. With these packing trips, Joe found the versatility and reliability of mules. He immersed himself in learning about the animals and their amazing abilities. Joe trained his team for packing and pulling wagons. Joe and Becky would pull carriages full of people for the “Christmas in Christmas” celebrations and up and down Superior Street for the “Rekindle the Spirit” festivities in Munising. Joe and his mules showed at the local county fairs and the UP State Fair. Joe also enjoyed following the Clark County Mule Festival in Kahoka, Missouri and Mule Days in Bishop, California. After retirement in 2006, Joe and Becky moved to the U.P. In retirement Joe continued to help his friends and neighbors with inseminating their cattle and he went back to driving truck for Verbrigghe’s in Chatham and driving school bus for Superior Central. In all Joe had driven for over 35 years. When he finally retired, he had made it to 48 out of 50 states. Joe was a member of the Ikkala Brothers VFW Post and a life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Joe also helped to found the Road Apple Driving Club and greatly enjoyed the time spent with friends new and old.

 Joe is survived by his wife of nearly forty-four years – Becky Zimmerman of Chatham; daughter – Jody (John) Wing of Portage, MI; daughter-in-law – Janyce Zimmerman of Leslie, MI; step-children – Lynda (Eric) Emery of Charlotte, MI, Richard A. (Jill) Beardsley of Battle Creek, MI, and Christina (Daryl) McFee, of Taylor, MI; twelve grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters – Frances Richards and Patricia Conner; brother – William (Barb) Zimmerman; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents – Harold and Virgina; son – Patrick Zimmerman, brother – Roger Zimmerman; and brothers-in-law – Robert Richards and Jim Conner.

Visitation will be at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising, MI on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Military Honors will be rendered by the Alger County Veterans Honor Guard starting at 4:00 p.m. Immediately following the military honors Pastor Lon Russell will lead Joe’s Service. Visitation will also be held at Vickers Leslie Funeral Home in Leslie, MI on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, starting at 1:00 p.m. with Joe’s service beginning at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.