FRANKLIN
John Ernest Grimmer, 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at his home in Franklin 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 Ziegler Grimmer, his wife of 65 years. They have five sons, John (Diana), Curt, Andy (Karen), Tom (Amy), Pete (Dana); nine grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren.
Preceding John were daughter Janet and sister, Jane Grimmer Baker.
He went to Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, and was a 1952 engineering graduate of Purdue University, 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 President’s Council at Purdue, was the president of the compressor industry council, CAGI.
He was a member of First Presbyterian of Franklin.
Both Franklin and Palm City, Florida, where he was a resident of 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.
Please join the family for an informal gathering of all John’s friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, July 21 at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 U.S. 31 South (Morton Street) in Franklin, following a private service for the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Janet Lee Grimmer Memorial Endowment Fund, Riley Children’s Foundation, 30 S. Meridian St., 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.
