Jerome Hobson Kimble, Jr.

Jerome Hobson Kimble, 97, of Charlevoix, Michigan, passed away to his heavenly home on June 26, 2022 at Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan, Michigan.

Jerry was born August 27, 1924 in Detroit, the son of Emma (Stein) and Jerome H. Kimble Sr. He was the oldest of five children with two brothers and two sisters.  Jerry grew up in Detroit where he attended Bethlehem Lutheran School through the 8th grade and then attended Ford Trade School through the 12th grade.  He enlisted in the Army at the age of 18 and was stationed in Whittier, Alaska until 1945.  Upon his discharge, Jerry returned to Detroit where he worked at Ford Motor Co.

On March 2, 1946, Jerry married the love of his life, Marion "Mari" White and they made their home in Detroit.  Together they raised five children.  In 1960, they moved the family to a farm outside of Charlevoix.  Besides working the farm, Jerry had several jobs over the years working at tool and die plants in the area.  He also worked at the Charlevoix Co-op and co-owned the former Harbor Hardware Store in Charlevoix with his wife Marion.  

Jerry was a talented craftsman, always busy making frames for Marion's paintings and crafts for his children and for display in local craft stores/shows.  He loved his irises and garden, walking the block to distribute cucumbers to the neighbors.  He was always inventing gadgets to help make life easier and was willing to lend a helping hand and a smile if anyone needed anything.   After retirement, Jerry and Marion worked as transporters for the Charlevoix Probate Court, they were Red Cross volunteers, and Jerry worked as a greeter at Burns Clinic (which he loved) until he retired again at the age of 80.

Jerry is survived by his two sisters, Sylvia Tumath and Linda (Dick) Robertson; a brother, Thomas (Lois) Kimble; his children, Melody Kimble, Delight (Thomas) Kiebel, Jerry (Rochelle) Kimble, David (Bonnie) Kimble, and Gay (Charles) Kiteley; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by Marion, his soulmate and wife of 75 years, who passed away on November 27, 2021; his parents; his brother Richard (Dick) Kimble, and his great-grandson, Jax.

Jerry's family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff at Grandvue for their dedicated and loving care of Jerry and Marion during their stay at Grandvue. 

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in Petoskey with a visitation being held from 10:00 AM until the time of service.  Burial will take place at North Bay Cemetery at 2:00 PM.

The family asks that any donations in Jerry's memory be directed to Grandvue Medical Care Facility (1728 S. Peninsula Rd., East Jordan, MI  49727), Zion Lutheran Church (500 W. Mitchell St., Petoskey, MI  49770), or the Alzheimer’s Association (921 W. Eleventh St. #1W., Traverse City, MI  49684). 

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