The ceremony, scheduled to be held in the heart of Lewistown at 11 a.m. on Thursday, will recognize Zimmerman’s legacy by dedicating the park — one of Downtown Lewistown Inc.’s most visible and successful projects — in his name. Surrounded by friends, family, colleagues and community leaders, the event will serve as both a tribute and a reflection on decades of service.

“There are many projects, programs and impacts that Jon had that stand as his legacy,” said Jim Zubler, executive director of DLI. “His impact was much larger than Lewistown alone.”

Fountain Square Park itself stands as a testament to that influence. Once an underutilized space, it has been transformed into a central gathering place for residents and visitors alike, hosting community events and offering a welcoming, revitalized downtown focal point. The park has become symbolic of the progress DLI has helped bring to the borough — progress in which Zimmerman played a central role.

As a founding member and former president of DLI, Zimmerman helped guide the organization through periods of both growth and uncertainty. Despite significant cuts to Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development funding following the 2008 recession, DLI continued to pursue development projects through local partnerships and grassroots support.

Photo courtesy of DOWNTOWN LEWISTOWN INC.
Ceremonial Coin Toss at Fountain Square Park dedication on Friday, August 21, 2015.

Zimmerman often credited the community itself for those successes.

“DLI has worked hard over the past two decades to improve the quality of life and promote economic development in Lewistown and Mifflin County,” Zimmerman said in a 2023 interview with The Sentinel. “This is one more example of how the investment by many is paying off for the community as a whole.”

That philosophy echoed throughout the years, as business leaders highlighted the collaborative spirit Zimmerman championed. From façade improvement programs to major developments like the ComPASS Center and the Mann Edge apartments, his leadership helped bring together municipalities, businesses and residents to invest in a shared vision.

But those who worked alongside him made it clear that Zimmerman’s legacy extends beyond bricks and mortar.

Born in Philadelphia in 1945 and raised in Reedsville, Zimmerman built a career that spanned business, education and community service. After graduating from Kishacoquillas High School and Dickinson College and later earning advanced degrees from Penn State and the University of Virginia, he went on to play a key role in the growth of Standard Steel before leading and owning several successful businesses.

His commitment to public service began early. Elected to the Mifflin County School Board in 1978, he helped guide the consolidation of local districts. He later served on the board of Lewistown Hospital during its transition to the Geisinger Health System. In recent years, he helped establish the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame, serving as its first president.

It was through that work that another side of Zimmerman became evident — his dedication to recognizing others. For years, he collected photographs and stories of local athletes, ensuring their accomplishments would be remembered and celebrated.

“He wanted to make sure people were recognized,” Zubler said. “To carry on that tradition.”

That passion was evident just weeks before his passing in May 2025, when Zimmerman attended his own induction into the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame.

“He commanded the audience,” Zubler recalled.

At Fountain Square Park, that same sense of presence is expected to be felt again — not through words, but through the space itself and the people gathered within it.

Jim Zubler, executive director of Downtown Lewistown Inc., is expected to speak during the ceremony, reflecting on Zimmerman’s deep love for Mifflin County and his belief in its potential, as well as his ability to bring people together around a common goal.

Some people serve their communities through their positions, but Jon Zimmerman served through his heart.

That’s how Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rhonda Kelley remembers him.

“I had the privilege of working alongside Jon for many years on both the Downtown Lewistown Inc. Board and the Chamber Board of Directors, and I came to know him as someone who genuinely loved this community and believed in its future,” Kelley said. “He was one of Lewistown’s greatest champions, a tireless advocate, encourager and leader who never stopped looking for ways to make our town stronger and more vibrant.”

Kelley said Zimmerman’s influence could be seen not only in projects like Fountain Square Park, but in the way he brought people together.

“Jon’s vision and determination were instrumental in bringing projects like Fountain Square to completion, but his true legacy extends far beyond any one project,” she said. “He inspired others to get involved, brought people together around a common purpose, and helped countless individuals see the possibilities for our community.”

She added that Zimmerman’s personality and approach made a lasting impression on those who worked beside him.

“His enthusiasm was contagious, his commitment unwavering, and his belief in Lewistown never wavered,” Kelley said. “Those of us who had the opportunity to serve beside him were better for it. We learned from his leadership, benefited from his friendship, and witnessed firsthand the difference one dedicated person can make.”

Zimmerman is survived by his wife of 57 years, Candice; their four children; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom are expected to attend the ceremony.

Kelley said the dedication is not only a tribute, but a reminder of the lasting impact Zimmerman leaves behind.

“While Jon is deeply missed, his impact remains woven into the fabric of our community,” she said. “This event is a wonderful opportunity to honor a man whose legacy continues to inspire and whose contributions will be felt for generations to come.”

Attendees can reflect on the meaning of the park and the legacy it represents. For many, Fountain Square Park is more than a public space; it serves as a symbol of what can be accomplished through persistence, collaboration and belief in a community’s future.

Those values defined Zimmerman’s life and work.

Though he is no longer present to see the continued growth of the town he loved, his influence remains visible in every event hosted at the park, every improvement made downtown and every effort to build a stronger Mifflin County.

In dedicating Fountain Square Park to Zimmerman, the community will not only honor a leader — it will reaffirm the vision he spent a lifetime advancing: one rooted in connection, pride and the enduring idea that, together, people can make their community better.