The Rev. Lamar Zimmerman helped Robert T. Boyd cope after his wife of 50 years died.

The pastor of Stevens United Zion Church prayed with Gary Eberly after he lost a job.

Zimmerman, 72, of Ephrata visited members of his congregation at their homes and would "just drop in like a friend," said Betty Zimmerman, a church member who is not related.

And he loved leading worship services at area nursing homes.

Last night, while driving home from one of those services, Zimmerman was killed in a two-vehicle crash.

The wreck at an Ephrata Township intersection near Akron injured his wife, Mary Ann, and only child, daughter Dorcas Zimmerman, and left a shocked congregation to mourn the loss of their beloved leader.

"He is a very sympathetic man and just loves the Lord," Eberly said today of Zimmerman. "We're going to miss him a lot."

Ephrata police said Zimmerman conducted a worship service at Maple Farm Nursing Center at Akron on Thursday and was on his way to his home in the 200 block of Clay School Road when the accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m.

His wife and daughter were with him as he drove north on Royer Road in Ephrata Township, police said.

A car driven by a 16-year-old Schoeneck-area boy collided with the Zimmerman car at the intersection of Royer Road and Meadow Valley Road, northwest of Akron, police said.

The 16-year-old was driving east on Meadow Valley Road. There are stop signs only on Royer Road, police said.

The front of the teenager's vehicle struck the driver's side of Zimmerman's car in the middle of the intersection, police said.

Zimmerman was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Ambulances took his wife and daughter to Lancaster General Hospital. Mary Ann Zimmerman was listed in serious condition this morning, and Dorcas Zimmerman was in fair condition.

The 16-year-old was not injured, but was very shaken up over the accident, police said.

Ephrata rescue, ambulance and medic units and Lincoln firefighters responded to the crash with police.

The crash closed the intersection until about 1:20 a.m today. The investigation continues. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Ephrata police at 738-9200.

Zimmerman had served as pastor at Stevens United Zion Church for about six or seven years, according to a church member.

Previously, he was a pastor at Stone Hill Church near Bowmansville, where his father had also served as pastor.

His congregation said Zimmerman taught straight from the Bible, rarely using any other book. He enjoyed to worship and sing and hear traditional hymns.

Zimmerman also gave sermons at area senior centers.

Boyd knew Zimmerman for about 12 years and tried to never miss church on Sunday so he could hear his sermons.

"When I left church, I knew what he was talking about," he said.

Besides that, Zimmerman reached out to his congregation when they needed it the most.

"He was a great fella," Boyd said. "If you needed any help, he'd gladly help you out."

Boyd said in 2003, when his wife died, Zimmerman guided him spiritually through his grief.

"He helped cheer me up," he said.

Eberly said Zimmerman was there for him two years ago at an important crossroads in his life.

After losing a job, Eberly sought out Zimmerman for guidance as to what new opportunity to pursue.

"He was very, very helpful," Eberly said. "His leadership was very good."

Of course, there were lighter moments, too.

Eberly said Zimmerman could play guitar pretty well, but was shy to do it much.

"He would sing with his daughter and wife," Eberly said. "We would call him Elvis."

Betty Zimmerman cried a little when she heard the tragic news this morning.

"He was a very sincere man and he believed what he preached," she said of the late reverend, whom she had known for 40 years. "He was our pastor, and a good friend.

"He's home with the Lord. I know that."


Staff writer Ryan Robinson can be reached at rrobinson@LNPnews.com or 481-6032.