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Wilma Theiss Kimmel, 99, of Santa Cruz, CA
formerly of Murphysboro, died Sunday, April 15, 2007 in Santa Cruz, CA.
Wilma was born in Murphysboro, February 11, 1908 a daughter to the late
John & Clara (Hartmann) Theiss. She married Ira Leon Kimmel in
Murphysboro, September of 1929 Ira preceded her in death August 17, 1979.
Wilma was a member of the United Methodist Church in Murphysboro, Wilma
was a Murphysboro Township High School senior during the great tornado of
1925, later writing her story about this event now on the internet (Google
Wilma T. Kimmel) and which has also been incorporated into a school
textbook in Finland. She has also written of the great depression of the
1930's. After high school she attended Southern Illinois Normal and began
teaching at a one room school west of Murphysboro and later at Royalton,
IL and St. Mary's MO. While at SIU she excelled at tennis and met and
later married Ira Leon Kimmel who became a school teacher and district
superintendent in Royalton, and McClure IL and St. Mary's MO., Greenview
and Winchester IL., Wilma served with her husband in various roles as a
teacher, active member of the PTA and local Christian churches and mother
of Carol and Gene who also became teachers. After retirement from the
world of education they resided on a small farm northeast of Murphysboro
and later moved to California in the early 1970's seeking a climate
helpful to Ira's health. Wilma has truly been the matriarch of the family
being a model of family values, virtue, hard work, and life-long
moderation. Throughout her life she was an avid reader, prolific writer
and in her later years enjoyed gardening and researching all aspects of
her family tree and Ira's as well. She will be deeply missed; her family
looks forward to an eternal reunion. Funeral services will be held at 11
am on Friday, April 20, 2007 at Crawshaw Funeral Home in Murphysboro, Rev.
Earl Renshaw will officiate, burial will follow at Zion Cemetery near
Murphysboro. Visitation will be on Friday from 10 to 11 am at the funeral
home. Memorials are encouraged and may be made to the United Methodist
Church. Survivors include one daughter and son in law; Carol and Jim
Allsup of San Jose, CA, one son; Gene Kimmel of Highland, IN., eight
grandchildren and their spouses: Jim(Loretta), Jon (Kathy), Mark (Shari)
Allsup, Kira Kimmel, Kris (Herm) Hoge, Michael Kimmel, Matthew (Cindy)
Kimmel, and Karyl (David) Molchan. 14 Great grandchildren and 2 step great
grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in
death by one brother; Jack Theiss, one sister; Bernice Tayon and one
daughter in law Marjorie Kimmel. |
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