Joe I. Kauffman, self-proclaimed mayor of Zimmerdale, died at 68, a former mechanic and operator of an auto repair shop in Zimmerdale for many years. Joe's nickname was "Mr. Goodpliers." He made metal sculptures that surrounded his shop. He was of the adventurous sort as he made his own boat and navigated rivers. Zimmerdale was never an official town and only consisted of some ten buildings, a grain elevator and salvage yard. After Kauffman's death, the county commissioners placed the "town" of Zimmerdale on the auction block.