JOEL KENNETH KIMMEL, SR.

Joel Kenneth Kimmel, Sr., age 69, formerly of Columbia City, died Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at his home in Peoria, Arizona. Born January 8, 1943, he was the son of Lois L. (Spaw) and Charles R. Kimmel in Fort Wayne, IN.

A Vietnam veteran, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps two tours during his 13 years of service from 1960-1973.He worked as a lathe operator at Deister Machine Company in Fort Wayne where he retired in 2001. Mr. Kimmel spent most of his life in Fort Wayne and Columbia City until moving to Arizona in 2002.
His first marriage was to Sharon L. Buckles on August 31, 1965 in Indiana.His second marriage was to Barbara (Haver) Bretall, January 11, 2002, in Arizona.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Joel (Ruth) Kimmel, Jr. and a daughter, Robin (Matthew) Herendeen, both of Columbia City; a step-daughter, Dionda Bretall; two step-sons, Douglas and James Bretall, all of Arizona; 10 grandchildren, (6 in Columbia City and 4 in Arizona).Also surviving is a sister, Amerida (Dan) Crow of St. Joe and a brother, Lonney (Bernie) Kimmel of Fort Wayne.He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Sharon Koester and two brothers, Irvin and Lynn Kimmel.

Celebration of Life Gathering will be held Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 1 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.Military honors will be presented by the Churubusco American Legion Post#157.