Obituary of Jean R. Kimmel

Wayland – Jean R. Kimmel, 94 years of age, passed away Tuesday April 22, 2025 at Unity Hospital in Rochester. Jean was born June 4, 1930 in Dansville the daughter of Fred and Olive (Schirmer) Rauber. She grew up in Dansville and graduated from Dansville Central School. Jean married Peter Kimmel on March 31, 1951 and enjoyed over 56 years of marriage together prior to Peter’s passing in 2007. Jean worked at Kelly Brothers Nursery for 3 years as a secretary and when she moved to Wayland with Peter. She began a career at First National Bank that stretched from 1951 – 1986 when she retired. Together Jean and Peter owned and operated Kimmel Hardware for many years in Wayland where they raised their family. In her later years, she was a talented artist and had several works of art displayed at her independent living facility in Rochester. Jean is pre-deceased by her parents, Fred and Olive Rauber; her husband, Peter Kimmel; and her sister, Rita Morsch. She is survived by her daughters, Joan (Kerry) Kimmel-Frantz of VA and Kay (Richard) Simon of Rochester; 5 grandchildren, Alexander and Andrew Frantz, Michael, Matthew and Marc Simon of Rochester; along with 2 great grand daughters and a niece and nephew. Jean has been laid to rest next to Peter at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Wayland. Her family will celebrate her life privately at a later date. Contributions in memory of Jean may be made to the Wayland Free Library or the American Heart Association.