Alias / Identifiers
| Field | Details |
|---|
| Public Alias | Zimmerly |
| DOB | 02/22/1987 |
| Preferred Name | Jacob |
Location History
| Place | Years |
|---|
| Baraboo, WI | 1987–1994 |
| Reedsburg, WI | 1994–2006 |
| Madison, WI | 2006–2009 |
| Reedsburg, WI | 2009–2011 |
| Janesville, WI | 2011–Present |
Health / Mental Notes
- ADHD – Adderall XR 30mg
- Compound grief, anxiety
- Sleep procrastination / difficulty unwinding
Interests / Hobbies
- Family & son-focused activities
- THC flower / cannabis knowledge
- GMT400 & GMT800 truck mechanics
- DIY mechanical projects
- Political evolution
- Earth / glacial geology (Laurentide / Green Bay lobe)
- Observing humanity, appreciating nature, small daily joys
- Music with soul and passion; modern reggae/rock, Sublime (since 2003), country music for connection to home and family
Family
Immediate Family
| Relation | Details |
|---|
| Wife | Angela (married 2013) |
| Son | Turner Zimmerly (born 03/09/2024) |
Father – Donald “Butch” Zimmerly
Born: Jan 9, 1964 | Died: May 14, 2024 (60 years old)
Residences
- Fairfield Township, WI – until 1981
- Baraboo, WI – 1981–1987
- Tomah, WI – 1987–2011
- Surprise, AZ – 2011–2024
Military & Career
- Retired Army First Sergeant, 33 years of service
- Two tours – Operation Iraqi Freedom
- National Guard Counterdrug Program
- Traveling Ropes Course Instructor
- Honorably discharged 2014
- Volunteer Firefighter – Baraboo Fire Department
- Career: Chimney Sweep
Personality & Legacy
- Warm, disciplined, fair, humorous, family-first leader
- Hands-on father; coached sports; taught by example
- Called Jacob “homie,” “dude,” “man,” “bud”; typed in ALL CAPS
- Avid fisherman, camper, four-wheeler, fire-circle storyteller
Marriages & Children
- Married Diane (Rehr) – 1986
- Son: Jacob Zimmerly (b. 02/22/1987)
- Married Sheila (Needham) – 1993
- Daughter: Katelyn Nicole Zimmerly (b. 01/27/1997)
- Stepson: James Jerome Burdick (b. 05/03/1987)
- Married Carrie (Cross) – 2013
- Stepson: Kyle Cross (wife: Brenda)
- Stepson: Carter Cross (wife: Emily Carroll; newborn child)
Grandchildren
- Nova Romberg
- Rya Romberg
- Violet Burdick
- Turner Zimmerly
Survived By
- Father: Donald J. Zimmerly
- Siblings (Donald’s children with spouses as above): Jacob Zimmerly, Katelyn Nicole Zimmerly, James Jerome Burdick, Kyle Cross, Carter Cross
- Numerous nieces, nephews, and friends
Preceded in Death
- Mother: Sharon Zimmerly
- Brother-in-law: Jim Powell
Mother – Diane Kerman
Residences
- Farm outside Rock Springs, WI – until 1986
- Baraboo, WI – 1987–1994
- Reedsburg, WI – 1994–2006
- Janesville, WI – 2006–Present
Background
- Cashier and newspaper work
- Created “User Friendly Creations” website / graphic design business in 1996
- Worked for and co-owned JVLNET
- Co-owned Extreme Nights Nightclub / The Back Bar
- Co-owned Jumpin’ Jahosephats / Bobbleheads Sports Bar & Grille until 2024
- Co-owned BDK Properties with BoB Kerman
- Children: Jacob Zimmerly (b. 02/22/1987)
Stepfather – Robert “BoB” John Kerman
Born: Dec 17, 1952 | Died: Mar 20, 2024
Residences
- Skokie, IL – Birth
- Janesville, WI – Later life
Background & Legacy
- Parents: Harold & Joan Kerman; Harold owned Steiner Electric
- Niles North High School (1971)
- UW–Whitewater – Bachelor’s degree
- Founder of Electrolarm
- Owner/co-owner: JVLNET, The Back Bar, Bobbleheads Sports Bar & Grille, Back of the Yards Sports Complex, BDK Properties, BKDK Management
- Philanthropist and community-focused
Children (taken under BoB’s wing)
- Laura Kerman (mother: Terri) – Minneapolis, MN
- Joe Kerman (different mother) – near Washington, DC
- Kyle Pucek – Janesville, WI (different mother/father)
- John Uveges – Janesville / Fort Atkinson, WI (different mother/father)
Family Business Note
Family business properties were damaged by a tornado on June 22, 2024, the same day as Donald Zimmerly’s funeral.
MKR Commercial Property Services – Occupational Info
Primary Role
Co-Foreman – MKR Commercial Property Services (Janesville, WI)
- Leads day-to-day commercial lawn care and snow removal operations
- Supervises and works alongside crews on active sites
- Plans routes, schedules, and logistics for large commercial properties
- Prepares, inspects, and maintains equipment daily
- Troubleshoots mechanical and operational issues on site
- Enforces safety protocols and quality standards
- Trains and mentors crew members
- Communicates directly with staff, account managers, and clients
MKR Equipment
- #34 2011 Ford F350 Super Duty (Plow Truck)
- #39 2015 Ford F350 Super Duty
- #35 2012 Ford F250 Super Duty
- #33 2009 Ford F350 Super Duty
- Old Exmark – LZZ29KA606 (SN: 850000–900000)
- New Exmark – LZE742GKC604A3 (SN: 409344948)
- Toro Z-Master – 75951 (SN: 400869473)
- Toro Grandstand – 74529 (SN: 316000129)
- Kubota BX 2680
- Kubota (model comparable to BX 2680)
- Stihl BR600 Blower x2
- Stihl BR800 Blower
Secondary Role
Vice President / 2nd-in-Command – G-Mack Enterprises (Lawncare & Snowplow)
Vehicles (Personal)
- Peggy – 2002 Red Chevy Silverado 4x4, extended cab, short bed. Reliable Midwest workhorse
- Grizzelda – 1998 Emerald Green Metallic K1500, restored and customized; sentimental long-distance purchase
- Rust Bucket – 1998 Emerald Green Metallic K1500; reference twin for restoration era and color
- Gretchen – 1998 White C2500 single cab, long bed; stripped-down utilitarian project truck
- Bonnie – 2007 Blue Toyota Camry LE; dependable daily driver
- Bernie – 2010 Black Toyota Camry XLE; Angela’s daily driver
Personality & Traits
- Big-hearted, loyal, deeply family-oriented
- Analytical, scientific thinker
- Protective, reflective, steady under pressure
- Strategic problem-solver
- Grounded, work-driven, values legacy
Family
Relation Details
Wife Angela (married 2013)
Son Turner (born 03/09/2024)
Dad: Donald “Butch” Zimmerly
Resided:
Fairfield Township, WI – until 1981
Baraboo, WI – 1981–1987
Tomah, WI – 1987–?
Surprise, AZ – ?–2024
Born Jan 9, 1964 – Died May 14, 2024 (60 years old)
Retired Army First Sergeant, 33 years military service, two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom, involved in National Guard Counterdrug Program and Ropes Course, honorably discharged 2014
Volunteer Firefighter – Baraboo Fire Department; Career: Chimney Sweep
Traits: Warm, disciplined, fair, humorous, family-first leader
Hands-on father; coached sports, taught by example; called Jacob “homie,” “dude,” “man,” “bud”; typed in ALL CAPS
Outdoors: avid fisherman, camping, four-wheeling, fire gatherings
Married Carrie (Cross) in 2013; faithful dog Beau-zee
Children:
Jacob Zimmerly – 02/22/1987
Katelyn Nicole Zimmerly (b. 01/27/1997) – half-sister (Dad + Sheila)
James Jerome Burdick (b. 05/03/1987) – stepbrother (Sheila’s son)
Bonus sons: Kyle Cross (with Brenda), Carter Cross (with Emily Carroll)
Grandchildren: Nova Romberg, Violet Burdick, Rya Romberg, Turner Zimmerly
Survived by father Donald J. Zimmerly; siblings Melody Powell, Pat (John) Sloniker, Paul Zimmerly; nieces, nephews, friends
Preceded in death by mother Sharon and brother-in-law Jim Powell
Mom: Diane Kerman
Resided:
Farm outside Rock Springs, WI – until 1986
Baraboo, WI – 1987–1994
Reedsburg, WI – 1994–2006
Janesville, WI – 2006–Present
Traits / Background: Cashier, newspaper work, created "User Friendly Creations" website/graphic design business in 1996; married BoB Kerman in 2000
Notes: Worked for JVLNET; co-owned JVLNET; co-owned Extreme Nights Nightclub (later "The Back Bar") and Jumpin’ Jahosephats (later "Bobbleheads Sports Bar & Grille") until 2024; co-owned BDK Properties residential rental company with BoB
Jacob Zimmerly – 02/22/1987
Stepdad: BoB Kerman
Resided:
Skokie, IL – Birth
Janesville, WI – later life
Born Dec 17, 1952 – Died Mar 20, 2024
Parents: Harold & Joan Kerman; Harold owned Steiner Electric
Education: Niles North High School 1971, UW–Whitewater Bachelor’s degree
Traits / Background: Founder of Electrolarm, owner of JVLNET, The Back Bar, Bobbleheads Sports Bar & Grille, BDK Properties, Back of the Yards Sports Complex, BKDK Management; philanthropist and community-focused
Children:
Laura Kerman (mother: Terri) – Minneapolis, MN
Joe Kerman (different mother) – near Washington DC
Kyle Pucek (taken under BoB’s wing, different mother/father) – Janesville, WI
John Uveges (taken under BoB’s wing, different mother/father) – Janesville/Fort Atkinson, WI
Co-owned BDK Properties with Diane Kerman
Family Business Damaged by tornado same day as Dad’s funeral (06/22/2024)