Neva Joyce Zimmerman, age 85 of Lima, went home to Heaven on January 11, 2019, at Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center.

She was born on July 21, 1933, on a farm near Gomer, Ohio in Allen County to Clarence and Bertha Clevenger, who preceded her in death. She married Clarence A. Zimmerman of Spencerville, Ohio who preceded her in death in 2006. She lived for 50 years in Spencerville on a farm before moving to Lima, Ohio.

Mrs. Zimmerman was a retired music teacher with Wapakoneta City Schools where she taught for 34 years. Joyce graduated from Gomer School in 1951. She then attended Fort Wayne Bible College graduating from their School of Music in 1954 and went on to marry her husband that year. She furthered her education at Ohio Northern University earning a BA degree in music education.

Joyce directed church choirs for 45 years, directed the Spencerville Community Choir for 15 years, played piano for the gospel quartet, the Gospelaires, which her husband sang in, gave private piano and voice lessons for years, and taught children's Sunday school classes for most of her life.

She was a member of Lima Baptist Temple where she played the piano for many years and sang in the choir. She belonged to the Temple's Missionary Women's Group, the Encourager's Bible Class, the Senior Citizen Bible Study group, and Horizon's for seniors. She also had volunteered at St. Rita's Medical Center. Joyce loved to travel, taking many trips with her husband and, after his death, with her daughter.
Mrs. Zimmerman loved her children and grandchildren dearly and was very proud of them. Survivors include a son, Dennis (Jayne) Zimmerman of Spencerville; two daughters, Diane Zimmerman of St. Marys and Debra (Charles) Naumann of Sidney; four grandchildren, Amanda (Zeke) Fugate and Renee Naumann, both of Sidney, and Nathaniel "Nate" and Caleb Zimmerman, both of Spencerville; one sister, Fay (Marvin) Stephens of Gomer, and a brother, Jay (Deanna) Clevenger of Ashland, Ohio and sister-in-law, Annabelle Clevenger of Convoy, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Garwin Clevenger and Ray Clevenger, and four sisters, Cecile Hawkins, Helen June Clevenger, Selma Kilgore, and Leola Stemen.

Joyce courageously battled cancer for many years, yet continued to live her life fully while keeping joy in her heart. She loved and looked forward to joking and teasing with the medical staff at the Mercy Health Cancer Center.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Shawnee Chapel. The Rev. Gary Hohman will officiate. Burial will follow in Spencerville Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 15, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Christian School, 982 Brower Road, Lima, Ohio 45801 or a charity of the donor's choice.

Condolences may be expressed at chileslamanfh.com.