By Anna Skinner
Cory Zimmer’s friends remember him first and foremost as a man with a big heart. The 24-year-old was killed as result of a beating that occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the 17200 block of Gunther Boulevard.
Ben Littrell, a 2012 Westfield High School graduate, met Zimmer in a 2008 computer class, but later reconnected while the two of them worked at Buffalo Wild Wings in Cool Creek Commons in Westfield.
“While working at (Buffalo Wild Wings), Cory would always ask how I was doing. Something we each get day in and day out,” Littrell stated in a letter sent to Current. “So, as we often do, I would consistently respond with ‘good’ or ‘great’ and get on with my day. However, one day I remember coming in stressed out and work was the last place I wanted to be. I told Cory ‘I’m good’ and reiterated the question back. Immediately following his answer, I started to walk off. Cory then proceeded to ask if I was sure. (He) said I was different. And then said ‘if there’s anything I can help with man, let me know.’ He was the first person that afternoon that had even though about going a step further than ‘how are you?’ It was the little things that made Cory seem so genuine and what makes a story like this just so tragic. Although we weren’t close, Cory will definitely be missed.”
Brandon Carlson, also a WHS grad, shared similar memories. Carlson knew Zimmer since his sophomore year of high school. The two had a class together, and Carlson said Zimmer just started talking to him one day.
“Cory was the most unselfish person I had ever met,” he stated. “He didn’t care what was going on, he wanted to make everyone laugh. He joked a lot and was really outgoing and funny.”
Obituary:
Cory A. Zimmer, age 24, of Westfield died Dec. 7. He was born Feb. 4, 1992, in Indianapolis as the son of Troy A. and Rhonda J. (Hammons) Zimmer. He attended Westfield High School and earned his GED in Noblesville.
Cory worked as a roofer for Insley Roofing. He loved to eat chicken wings and hot sauce. He enjoyed music, working out, reading and spending time with family and friends. Cory loved the Lord.
Cory is survived by his father, Troy A. Zimmer; mother, Rhonda J. Zimmer; grandmother, Nell Hammons; aunts and uncles, Alan (Lisa) Hammons, Pam Hammons, Steve (Jean Butler) Hammons, Brenda (Mike Rogers) Ayala, Joann (Mike) Ball and Tammy Brandenburg; several cousins and his cat, Vishnu. Cory was preceded in death by his grandfather, Norman Hammons; and grandmother, Ruth Murphy.
Visitation will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 13 at Erlewein Mortuary and Crematory, 1484 W. U.S. 40, Greenfield. A funeral service will immediately follow at 1 p.m. Pastor John Cernero will be officiating. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Greenfield.
Friends may share a memory or a condolence at erleweinmortuary.com.
Arrests made:
Two suspects have been arrested and charged with various crimes regarding the death of Cory A. Zimmer, Westfield. Joseph James Coccaro IV of Westfield, 22, and Shakka Eugene Brogdon of Indianapolis, 22, were both arrested on counts of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery. Coccaro also was charged with intimidation and dealing in marijuana.
Zimmer, 24, was beaten to death at approximately 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the 17200 block of Gunther Boulevard in Westfield. Police arrived on the scene to Westfield Fire Dept. personnel treating Zimmer, and Zimmer died shortly after.
The Westfield Police Dept. Criminal Investigations Division was assisted by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Hamilton County Prosecutors Office and the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office.
