Obituary for Wilber Kimmell

Wilber Kimmell

(April 22, 1924 – January 3, 2016)

Wilber Andrew Kimmell passed away Sunday, January 3, 2016 at Ponca City Hospital, Ponca City, OK.

He was born at the Kimmell homestead northeast of Covington on April 22, 1924. He helped farm and attended Garber/Covington schools until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944. He served in Europe beginning with the Battle of the Bulge until after the war ended. He was wounded and received a Purple Heart.

After the war, Wilber returned to Covington where he worked on the family farm and later a farm in Skeedee. He moved from the farm to work for the Champlain Pipe Line and the Champlain Oil Refinery until his retirement in 1980. After retirement he worked part time for Frontier Siding and Window in Ponca City.

Wilber loved all things outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved camping and traveled to Bluegrass festivals near and far. He had a green thumb and he always had a huge garden that was renowned for producing enough for everyone. He was a talented builder and craftsman and there are many examples of his abilities in the homes he built or renovated and the furniture he made. He especially loved to share his passions with his children and grandchildren and there are many memories of the grandchildren fishing on his boat or tagging along while he worked in his garden or shop. Wilber was a faithful Christian all his life and most currently was a member of Osage Heights Baptist Church in Ponca City.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, (Thelma) Joann Kimmell. They were married on December 31, 1944 and he left shortly thereafter to serve during WWII. He is also survived by his son, Glenn Kimmell and wife, Beth, of Zachary, Louisiana, daughter, Sharon Shepard and Kim Mercer of Winfield, Kansas, and daughter, Kathy Kimmell and Darrell Mayden of Ponca City and Gary Shepard and wife, Nancy; grandchildren: Darren Kimmell and wife, Carla, of Lexington, Illinois, Lauren DeVoe and husband, Stephen, of Prairieville, Louisiana, Mark Shepard and wife, Andrea, of Ponca City, Jason Shepard and wife, Ana, and Ryan Shepard and wife, Meredith, both of Stillwater, Kristy Gay and husband, Jason, and Tony Goertzen and wife, Stephanie: great grandchildren Declan and Caetlin Kimmell, Remi DeVoe, Kyle Shepard, Regan Shepard, Bethaney and Madison Barnes, Jason Gay and Emma and Ian Feary and brother: (Ansil) Dutch Kimmell and wife, Opal, of Covington, and sister, Mary Ann Freese and husband, Orval, of Enid.

Wilber was preceded in death by his great grandson, Blake Shepard, his parents, Oscar and (Katherine) Katy Kimmell , brother, Basil Kimmell and sister, Irene Stebbins.

Viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. at Trout Funeral Home, 505 W. Grand Avenue in Ponca City.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 7 2016 at 10 a.m. at Osage Heights Baptist Church, 142 Tapp Rd., Ponca City. Burial will take place after the service on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Covington Cemetery in Covington at 2 p.m. with full military honors. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

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 and Hospice of NW Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home