Jean Elizabeth Zimmerman  was the daughter of Conrad Paul and Hazel Venita (nee Drawbaugh) Zimmerman. She graduated at age 15 from high school and enrolled in college courses until she qualified by age for admission to the 3-year diploma RN program at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. She then studied an additional year at John's Hopkins Hospital to complete her nursing education.In 1944, Jean joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and did her 6-weeks basic training at Fort Meade, MD, followed by additional training in Gainesville, TX. Later in 1944, she crossed the English Channel in an LCI ("Landing Craft Infantry") ship. She served as a nurse in a tent, a General Hospital, in St. Lo, in the Normandy area. After the hostilities, she was privileged to visit Paris, France, during a 10-day "detached service," where she engaged in an aircraft flight over the city at night, an event which lived forever in her heart.
Married to John T. Melko, Maj. U.S. Army, she was a dedicated mother to Jeannette Melton (husband, Edward I Melton Jr., MD), Linda Johnston (husband, Lanny Johnston), J. Bradford Melko, and Debora Dunfield, MD (husband, Fraser Dunfield); 6 loving grandsons (Dan, Tom, Jason, Josh, Sean & Chris); and 3 great-granddaughters.Jean worked as a staff RN at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, FL. She later married her high school sweetheart, William James (Jim) Billig, Sr. (POW, WW II, Germany, STALAG LUFT #3), culminating an earlier romance. Jean was actively involved for many years with the DAR and the American ex-POW organizations.Jean is survived by her 3 daughters, 1 son, 6 grandsons, and 3 great-granddaughters. She was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Jim.
Jean Elizabeth Zimmerman Billig
BIRTH
5 Jul 1922
Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA
DEATH
13 Feb 2011 (aged 88)
Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida, USA
BURIAL
Harrisburg Cemetery
Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, USA
PLOT
Zimmerman Family Plot, Lot 39
MEMORIAL ID
75179895 ·