FRANKLIN
John Ernest Grimmer, 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
John and his family were longtime residents of Franklin and Lamb Lake, arriving in 1969 where John and business partner Robert Schmidt chose to locate their business, GrimmerSchmidt Compressors, helped in their decision by progressive banker Jack Early. The business grew to include Hurricane Compressors and ANGI Energy Systems in Wisconsin.
Born on May 16, 1930, in Indianapolis, and married to Barbara Zeigler Grimmer, his wife of 65 years, they have five sons, John (Diana), Curt, Andy (Karen), Tom (Amy) and Pete (Dana); 9 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren.
Preceding John in death were daughter Janet and sister Jane Grimmer Baker.
He went to Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, was a 1952 engineering graduate of Purdue University and Sigma Alpha Epsilon member, remaining a rabid Purdue football fan for life. He worked 17 years for Cummins before starting his own business.
John received an honorary doctorate from Franklin College where he was a 15-year board member. He established scholarships at both Franklin College and Purdue, combining liberal arts and engineering degrees, was on the Presidents Council at Purdue and was president of the compressor industry council, CAGI. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Franklin. Both Franklin and Palm City, Florida, where he was a resident for 25 years, have been recipients of many generous gifts.
The family wishes to express their thanks to many friends and the support group who cared for him as his health declined, especially his friend Dr. Gaston Dana.
The family hosted an informal gathering of all John’s friends on Friday, July 21, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, Indiana, following a private service for the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Janet Lee Grimmer Memorial Endowment Fund or Riley Children’s Foundation, 30 S. Meridian Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204-3509, which funds camperships to Camp Riley for special needs children.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.
