David M. Kimmel

David M. Kimmel, age 74, went home to be with the Lord on March 31, 2021. He was born in
Altoona to Myers P. and Lois E. Kimmel of Tyrone, Pennsylvania on February 1, 1947. He is
survived by his wife of 31 years, Susan K. Kimmel (Shaffer). Known as dad and pappy, he has four
children: Myers D. (wife, Christine), Sielke M. (husband, David Caparelli), Nathan J. (wife, Vicky),
Tyler W. (wife, Jessica) and ten Grandchildren, Joseph, Rachel, Hannah, Sarah, Joshua; Christian
and Naomi; Gabriel; Taylin and Oliver.
David was raised in Tyrone, Pennsylvania with his four siblings Jim, Linda (Lang), Myra (Hess) and
Mary (Welsh). Playing football and track and field, upon graduation from Tyrone Area High
School, David was drafted into the army and served during the Vietnam War for which he
completed two tours. David flew OV-1 Mohawks with compatriots to whom he would still gather
with annually at the Vietnam War Memorial. Several of his honors include
The
Bronze
Star
Medal (the fourth highest ranking award given to brave action in a combat zone);
23 Air
Medals, and the Gallantry Cross (
recognition of heroic conduct while in combat). He was a proud
veteran.
While David was an insurance agent for 45 years, his true passions were his wife Susan, family,
fishing in Canada, and hunting. He was a member of the St. Thomas Sportsman’s Club. He could
be found in his yard planting trees, flowers and bird watching. He loved reading tales of the old
west and was an avid reader pursuing knowledge of local history. Before Parkinson’s Disease,
David designed and built many stained-glass windows. His creations are featured in Winebrenner
Seminary in Ohio, and local churches. He is well-known in the community for having never met a
stranger.
David was a passionate advocate of Christianity. He was a Sunday School teacher for many years,
currently attending Brandts Church of the Brethren. He was dedicated to studying the Bible and
Biblical scholars and was always eager to share his knowledge. A board member of Scotland
Campus, he passionately supported its mission of spreading the gospel. If you want to know who
his best friend is, just open the Bible.
Visitation: Wednesday April 7, 6-8 pm at Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home, St. Thomas. Funeral
service is April 8, 11am at Brandts Church, 8003 Brandts Church Road, St. Thomas. In lieu of
flowers, please make donations to Scotland Campus, 3583 Scotland Rd, PO Box 370 Scotland, PA
17254. Final resting place, Stenger Hill Cemetery, Fort Loudon.

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