JoAnn Kimmel

Joseph Ann “JoAnn” Kimmel, 86 years old, passed away at 11:40 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Hamilton Grove Retirement Community.  JoAnn was born on October 23, 1937 in South Bend to the late Joseph Anthony and Genevieve Lucille (Harding) Bognar.  She has remained a lifelong area resident.  On April 7, 1956 in South Bend, JoAnn and Paul M. Kimmel were united in marriage.  Paul preceded his wife in death on March 2, 2020 after 63 years of marriage.  JoAnn was also preceded in death by her two sons, James and Dennis Kimmel; daughter-in-law, Julie Kimmel; sister, Mary Lucille “Mary Lou” Harner; and two brothers, Charles “Joe” and Terence “Terry” Bognar.

Since the beginning of their family painting business in 1981, JoAnn was the corporate secretary and office manager for Paul Kimmel & Sons.  In addition to being a loving wife and mother, raising 3 boys, JoAnn also worked in payroll and bookkeeping for CSI Logistics. Paul and JoAnn loved traveling, especially in the western United States, and upon retirement in 1999, they began new adventures, seeing new sights and revisiting some of their old favorites across the country.

JoAnn was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church (Lakeville).  She enjoyed bowling and participated in leagues.  Many of her fondest memories involved travel, family gatherings, enjoying their backyard swimming pool and teaching all of her grandchildren how to swim. Family was very important to JoAnn and she remained close to her entire family, including her brothers and sisters her entire life.

JoAnn is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, David and Lori Kimmel of New Carlisle, and daughter-in-law, Denise Kimmel of South Bend; and nine grandchildren; Jeremy (Julie Klassen) Stein and their son, Lukas Stein; Eric (Rachael) Kimmel and their children, Ellie, Carter and Anna Kimmel; Korey Kimmel; Heather (Jaron) Tuttle and their children, Liam, Everly and Owen Tuttle; Mallory Kimmel and her children, Caleb and Bryson Pennington; Elizabeth (McKenzie) Jojo; Chelsea (Todd) Berger; Kyle Kimmel; and Kelly Kimmel.  JoAnn is also survived by her two sisters, Catherine Maxine “Mickey" Bly of South Bend and Eloise (Dean) Truitt of Jonesville, MI; and her sister-in-law, Audrey Bognar of Jonesville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church (Lakeville), 63568 IN-931, South Bend, IN 46614. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Thursday at the church. Rev. Julius Okojie will celebrate.  A private interment of JoAnn’s ashes will be at Calvary Cemetery, Niles, MI, where her parents and grandparents are buried.  Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, South Bend is assisting the family. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of JoAnn Kimmel may be donated to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 63568 IN-931, South Bend, IN 46614.  Online condolences may be offered to JoAnn’s family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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