Br. De Sales Zimpfer, C.Ss.R., Obituary and Funeral Information

Brother De Sales Zimpfer, of the St. John Neumann Residence, Stella Maris, Timonium, Maryland died on May 1, 2022, three days ahead of his 87th birthday. 
 

Also known as Brother “D,” he was born Elmer Joseph Zimpfer on May 4, 1935, in Buffalo, New York. He was the son of Elmer and Anna (Anne Birner). Baptized and confirmed at the Redemptorist parish of St. Mary’s in Buffalo, he also attended the parish school from 1942 to 1950. During his high school years, he took courses through the Wayne School and Correspondence from 1950 to 1953. Eventually, he enrolled as a candidate brother from 1952 to 1953 in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, at St. Gerard’s Hall, where the brothers’ novitiate was for many years. He professed temporary vows on October 16, 1954 in Ephrata and made final vows on October 16, 1958.
 

All of his assignments were in the Baltimore Province. These included St. Mary’s, Ilchester, MD from 1954 to 1958; St. Clement’s Mission House, Ephrata, PA beginning November 2, 1958; Our Lady of Fatima, Baltimore, MD from 1958 to 1968; Immaculate Conception, Bronx, NY pro tem, from 1968 to 1969; Our Lady of Good Counsel Provincial House, Brooklyn NY from 1969 to 1970; and Our Lady of Fatima, Baltimore, MD from 1970 to 2015. He then briefly was assigned to Sacred Heart, Baltimore, MD before he was assigned to St. Clement Mission House on December 16, 2016 where he served until November 8, 2019. Finally, he was transferred to the St. John Neumann Residence at Stella Maris, Timonium, MD.
 

During his Redemptorist career, Brother “D” worked as a tailor, office brother, porter, and cook. The parish hall at Our Lady of Fatima is named for him. Brother “D” faithfully ran Bingo to support the parish school at Our Lady of Fatima almost the entire time he was assigned there. He also was the sacristan and very carefully watched over the cleanliness and needs of the Church.
 

Brother “D” once replied to a survey question on the type of ministry he hoped to enter in the next phase of his life. He was given a long list of choices and asked what type of ministries he was most attracted to. He summed up his priorities in this way: “My choice is to work where the Lord wants me.”
 

Eternal rest grant unto BR. DeSALES, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May BR. DeSALES’ soul and the souls of all the faithful departed thru the mercy of God Rest in Peace.  Amen.

Funeral information for Br. DeSales:

On Friday, May 6 at 10 a.m. there will be a viewing at Sacred Heart of Jesus; 600 South Conkling Street; Baltimore, MD 21224.
 

The Funeral Mass will be Friday, May 6 at 11 a.m., at Sacred Heart of Jesus with burial to follow at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery located at 7401 German Hill Rd, Dundalk, MD 21222.

The Funeral Mass will be live streamed at: www.facebook.com/SagradoCorazondeJesusbaltimore