John D. Kimmel, age 75, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at his home in Palm Harbor, FL, with his family by his side.
John was born on January 30, 1940, in Clinton, IA, to Boyd and Clara (Tollenaar) Kimmel. He was educated in the Morrison Schools and was involved in, and excelled at, all sports offered through the school system. He was inducted into the Morrison High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. John’s request was for a memorial fund to be established in his name, to assist any student needing financial assistance to be able to participate in athletics in Morrison High School.
On August 23, 1956 John married Joyce Ottens in Morrison. While in Morrison, he worked at Groharing Mason Contractors from 1958 to 1964, and started a painting contractor business in 1964 until 1966. He was a member of the Morrison Fire Department for over ten years. He was a member of the Morrison Dunlap Lodge # 321 A.F. & A.M., and was a 32nd Degree Mason and member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Moline, IL.
John began his career with General Electric in 1964 in Morrison and was employed for 38 years until his retirement. During his employment he was transferred to a variety of G. E. plants, including Carroll, IA; Ft. Wayne, IN, Shelbyville, IN, and Tell City, IN. He developed many lifelong and cherished friendships in these communities. During his illness he received many calls and cards from past employees from these locations, with the common thread being that he was always a fair and honest man.
Following his retirement from G. E., he moved to Colorado Springs, CO, to be near his family. One of John’s greatest joys was being a grandpa to his four grandchildren. His greatest lessons to his family were to work hard, play hard, and enjoy all that life has to offer. He had a quick and wonderful sense of humor and has left his family with the gift of countless stories to smile at, laugh about, and retell to their children. While in Colorado he spent many enjoyable hours on outings with his wife, Joyce, driving through and taking in the Rocky Mountains.
John had a love of artistic pursuits, the outdoors, fishing, and wildlife that he shared with his family his entire life. Wherever he moved, he would draw up plans and landscape his yards beautifully. If not outdoors, he could be found in his garage surrounded by his tools and lumber. He was an accomplished wood worker, finishing many treasured projects and pieces for his family over the years. He was also an accomplished wood carver of birds and ducks and enjoyed leather tooling.
John is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce Kimmel of Palm Harbor, FL; his daughter Beth Hardman and her partner, Kirk Decker, of New Port Richey, FL; four grandchildren, Katie McCartney of Sycamore IL; Bryan McCartney of Loveland CO; Sarah McCartney of Peyton, CO, and Andrew Hardman of Loveland, CO; his sister Kay (Leon) Vanderploeg of Morrison, CO; many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Boyd and Clara, his brother, Butch, and his son, Steven John.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be submitted to the family for John’s chosen memorial to the Morrison High School Athletic Program, which is being established.
A memorial service and service of Masonic Rites will be held in May of 2015 in Morrison, IL.