Gerald Kimmel

Gerald E. "Jerry" Kimmel

Gerald E. "Jerry" Kimmel, 74, Topeka, died Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at St. Francis Health Center in Topeka. He was born Aug. 17, 1929, in Sabetha, to Romeo Wayne and Beulah Geiger Kimmel. He served in the Kansas Army National Guard in Hiawatha and later enlisted in the Air Force prior to the Korean conflict, where he was stationed at Travis Air Force Base east of Vallejo, Calif. He and his wife moved to Topeka after being discharged from military service. Mr. Kimmel was accepted into the sheet metal apprenticeship program and became a journeyman after completing its four-year program. He worked for Kansas Sheet Metal and Stevenson Sheet Metal, where he retired in August of 1991. Mr. Kimmel was a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 77 for more than 30 years. He was a member of IOOF Lodge No. 640, Golden Rule Lodge No. 90 AF&AM, York Rite Bodies, Scottish Rite, Helena Chapter No. 210 of the Order of the Eastern Star and Arab Shrine Temple, all i n Topeka. He was a member of the Arab Foot Patrol and past member of the 32 Roadsters. He was a supporter of the Democratic party and the National Rifle Association. He was active in Scouting with both of his sons and his daughter during their youth. He enjoyed his life's work as a craftsman in his trade. During his retirement, he was an avid woodworker. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He married Leah Marie Ransom on Aug. 20, 1950, in Vallejo, Calif. She died Aug. 7, 1991. Survivors include two sons, Halsey Wayne Kimmel and Gerald Bruce Kimmel, both of Topeka; a daughter, Vickie Ann Kimmel-Garland, Carbondale; a brother, Leonard Kimmel, Falls City, Neb.; a host of family and friends; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel in North Topeka. Masonic graveside services will be conducted by Golden Rule Lodge No. 90, AF&AM at Topeka Cemetery. Mr. Kimmel will lie in state after 3 p.m. today at the funeral chapel, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children Hospital and sent in care of the Arab Temple, 1305 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, 66612-1332.