Stephanie Zimmerman

O'FALLON, Ill. — Stephanie Anne Stone Zimmerman, 52, of O'Fallon, born Sept. 18, 1968, in Cape Girardeau to Jerry L. and Nancy K. Hartle Stone, passed on to Heaven on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, at her home with her family close by her side.

Stephanie grew up in Cape Girardeau, where as a member of First Baptist Church, she made her profession of faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of 8. Her schooling began at Franklin Elementary School, where lifelong friendships began. She was a member of the girls basketball team at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High and the girls tennis team at Central High. She served on the Tiger newspaper and graduated from Central High School in 1986. She was also a charter member of the faith-based Young Life organization.

Stephanie's continued education included earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southeast Missouri State University; Master of Arts in Counseling from Webster University in St. Louis; School Guidance Counseling K-12 Certification from Missouri Baptist University and, in her passion to continue helping others, Stephanie received her licensure as a Missouri Licensed Professional Counselor.

Stephanie's professional career began at Cape Girardeau Counseling Center as activity director for clients with special needs whom she said, "became her best friends," and continued in St. Louis with Independence Center and, later, Progressive Youth Connection, where she directed programs and worked with children in inner-city elementary schools.

After she and Kent Zimmerman were married in 2006, she embraced her extended Zimmerman family and her life in O'Fallon. She was an active member of Shiloh United Methodist Church, where she served on the Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee and was chairperson for Operation Christmas Child. Stephanie was an avid supporter of local animal shelters. She enjoyed going to the gym and shopping, especially for bargains. But most importantly and always uppermost in her heart was her involvement with every aspect of her children's lives.

Stephanie faced her nine-year battle with breast cancer with amazing grace, strength, determination and faith. She had an extraordinary flair for life that brought happiness, blessings and inspiration to all who knew her.

Her family wishes to express its deep gratitude to the doctors and medical staff at Siteman Cancer Center and BJC Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care as well as the many known and unknown friends who covered her in prayer for many years.

Survivors include her husband, Kent Zimmerman; children, Zachary and Zoey; parents, Jerry and Nancy Stone; as well as very dear friends who were as close as sisters could ever have been. Other loving survivors include her brothers-in-law, Karl (Donna) Zimmerman and Kit (Debbie) Zimmerman, and their children, Josh, Kyle, Ryan and Katie.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Marie Birk and Deral Hartle and stepgrandfather, Allen Birk, Finis and Alma Stone; aunts, Elene Stone and Sandy Molitor; and cousin, Sarah Molitor.

Stephanie requested that memorial donations be made to either Shiloh United Methodist Church, 210 South Main St., Shiloh, IL 62269, or Siteman Cancer Center, 7425 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105.

A private memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Shiloh United Methodist Church that may be viewed online via livestreaming at www.shiloh-umc.org/live or www.facebook.com/TheShilohChurch. For those without computer access, please call the church at (618) 706-9862 for phone-in options.

A public visitation will follow from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the church. Masks are required, and please be patient with the capacity limitations. Guests are encouraged to keep their visit brief to allow for all of Stephanie's many friends to have the opportunity to pay respects.

A reception to celebrate Stephanie's life planned for Oct. 11 at La Croix United Methodist Church, 3102 Lexington Ave. in Cape Girardeau has been canceled because of COVID-19.

Arrangements were entrusted to Wolfersberger Funeral Home in O'Fallon, Illinois.

Sign the virtual guest book or post a memory at www.wfh-ofallon.com.