Kimmel

Charlotte Irene Bicker Kimmel, 88, died Jan. 17 in Atlanta, Ga.

Born March 18, 1920, in Cabot, she was the daughter of the late George Herman and Pauline Gundlach Bicker.

Charlotte spent her early years in the Cabot area, where she was a member of local chapters of the 4-H Club and Grange. Following graduation from Winfield Consolidated High School in 1937, she attended the Butler Business College. Then she worked five years as secretary, treasurer and office manager at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation office in Butler.

Charlotte married John Warner Kimmel of Shelocta, Indiana County, on Nov. 16, 1944. The couple lived at and operated a dairy business on the family farm near Shelocta, while raising 10 children.

Charlotte was an active leader in the Armstrong Township 4-H Club, and many of her children participated as 4-H members. In 1967, the family moved a few miles east of Indiana, where she lived for 33 years. During much of this time, she was a member of the Indiana Garden Club. Charlotte and her family also were members of the Plumcreek Church of the Brethren in Elderton and later, the Graystone Presbyterian Church in Indiana.

Descendants have always been grateful for the loving attention, support and direction in life they received from Charlotte. We shall always remember her for her gentle care, wisdom and sage advice. Her "short speeches" include statements like, "If you can't say something nice about someone, then don't say anything at all;" or "If something's worth doing, then its worth doing right the first time;" and "Pursue your education — others can take your home, your car, and the clothes off your back; the one thing they can never take from you is your knowledge."

She and her deceased husband, John, have left family and friends a legacy of eternal hope, good will and humor. Also, to descendants are passed good genes, which many, yet, will inherit into the future. Truly, we have been blessed.

She is survived by nine children, Thomas K. Kimmel of Elizabethtown; Rebecca K. Eshelman of Roswell, Ga.; Samuel L. Kimmel of Shelocta; J. Timothy Kimmel of Inman, Kan.; Karen E. Orsolics of Solebury; George A. Kimmel of Spring Church; E. Christine Pulsinelli of Paw Paw, Mich.; Margaret L. "Peg" Zellefrow of Blairsville and Jeffrey D. Kimmel of Port Matilda; 17 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John, in 2000; a daughter, Charlotte K. "Cholly" Voytek in 1999; and all six of her siblings.

<B>KIMMEL</B> — A memorial service for Charlotte Irene Bicker Kimmel, who died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, will be held later.Arrangements are being handled with the assistance of <B>Byars Funeral Home and Cremation Services</B> in Cummings, Ga., and <B>Robinson-Lytle</B> in Indiana.