Obituary for Thelma Kimmell

Thelma Joann Kimmell

May 7, 1926 – June 9, 2021

Thelma Joann McLaren Kimmell died on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at her home in Ponca City, Oklahoma. She was born at home in Covington, OK, on May 7, 1926. She attended schools in Covington and played high school basketball. She married her high school sweetheart, Wilber Kimmell on December 31, 1944. Shortly after they wed, Wilber shipped out to Europe to fight in WWII. During that time she contributed to the war effort and supported her husband from far away.

Joann was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She was renowned for her cooking and homemaking skills. She is known to have canned or frozen many a vegetable, fruit and other produce from Wilber’s very prodigious garden. She had a wonderful sense of humor and graced her family with her wit to the very end. Family gatherings would find Joann at her happiest as she produced wonderful meals for all who came.

Joann and Wilber were a matched set and wherever you would see one, you would see the other. They volunteered at their church, the Osage Senior Center and community events. They loved to camp, fish, and boat and they were often accompanied by kids and grandkids on all their outings. They loved to attend bluegrass shows. She worked by Wilber’s side installing windows etc. for Frontier Siding during Wilber’s post retirement career.

She was a faithful Christian all her life and was an active member of Osage Heights Baptist Church in Ponca City.

She is survived by: her son, Glenn Kimmell and his wife, Beth, of Zachary, LA, two daughters, Sharon Shepard and Kim Mercer of Winfield, KS and Kathy Kimmell and Darrell Mayden of Cushing, OK.; grandchildren, Darren Kimmell and wife, Carla, of Simpsonville, SC, Lauren DeVoe and husband, Stephen, of Prairieville, LA, Mark Shepard and wife, Andrea, of Ponca City, Jason Shepard, Ryan Shepard, and wife, Meredith, both of Stillwater, Kristy Barnes and Jerry Murrell of Cushing, and Tony Goertzen and wife, Stephanie, of Jenks; great-grandchildren, Declan and Caetlin Kimmell, Remi and Josie DeVoe, Kyle Shepard, Regan Shepard, Thea and Coy Shepard, Bethaney Barnes and Michael Bobo, Madison Barnes, Jason Gay and Emma and Ian Feary; great-great-grandchildren, Aria and Eathan Bobo, Wade Houston and son-in-law, Gary Shepard and wife, Nancy.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Wilber; her parents Susie and Amos McLaren; her brothers Bob, Russell and Richard McLaren, her sister Doris Staples; and her great grandson Blake Shepard.

A viewing will be held on Monday, June 14, 2021, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Trout Funeral Home. Additional viewing will be held on Tuesday, June 15 from 9-10 a.m. at Osage Heights Baptist Church, followed by a service at 10 a.m. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 9:45 AM. Burial will take place at the Covington Cemetery at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to Osage Heights Baptist Church, 142 Tapp Rd., Ponca City, OK 74604 or Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home