Jesse "Jay" Kimmel

Jesse J. "Jay" Kimmel, 80, of Greenville, Ohio passed away early Friday Morning, September 20, 2019, at State of the Heart Care Center in Greenville.

Jay was born on October 23, 1938, in Beamsville, Ohio to the late Wallace and Edna (Werts) Kimmel.

In addition to his parents, Jay was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn Kimmel in 1990; his granddaughter, Brittany Kimmel; and his brother-in-law Kenny Dean.

Jay was truly a family man who loved his family, the Lord, and his community. He never knew a stranger and had a smile that could lighten the room. Jay loved being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. When he was not spending time with his family, you could find Jay with his friend group, known as the "fossils". He enjoyed playing golf each week and cards with his friends.

Jay loved his community and was active in many ways. As a 1956 graduate of Ansonia High School, he enjoyed giving back to the schools. He loved going to games and spent many years announcing basketball games for the Tigers. Jay served on the Ansonia School Board and the MRDD School Board. He spent 35 years as a member of the Ansonia Fire Department and served as fire chief for over 20 years. He was a charter member of the Ansonia Rescue and a part of the Ansonia Area Jaycees. Jay belonged to the Greenville Elks, Masonic Blue Lodge, and Antioch Shrine. Jay and his wife, Jackie, was a member of the former Ansonia Christian Church, where he sang in the church's choir.

Jay is survived by his wife Jacqueline "Jackie" (Bigham) Kimmel, whom he married April 8, 1995; his children, Robyn Studabaker and her husband Dan of Greenville, Kent Kimmel and his wife Julie of Ansonia, Ohio, and Greg Kimmel and his wife Barb of Ansonia; his step daughter, Nanci Willman and her husband Mark of Greenville; his grandchildren, Kyle Studabaker and his wife Erika of Columbus, Ohio, Katelyn Lieb and her husband Jordan of Findlay, Ohio, Chad Kimmel of Versailles, Ohio, Olivia Mumaw and her husband Darrin of Fort Loramie, Ohio, Luke Kimmel and Kane Kimmel, both of Ansonia; his step-grandchildren Evan and Grant Willman of Greenville; and his great grandchildren, Oakley and Kohen Studabaker, Cambrie Lieb, and Liam Mumaw. Jay also leaves behind his sister, Joan Huff of Westerville, Ohio; his step-sisters, Sondra Hartrum of Greenville, and Sharon Sanders and her husband Roger of Springboro, Ohio; his sister-in-laws, Sherry Ward and her husband Jim of Greenville, Peggy Jasenski of Greenville, and Linda Abrams of Rushville, Indiana; and countless nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Jay's life will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, September 23, 2019 at Tribute Funeral Homes, Greenville Campus, with pastors Eric Knight and Lowell Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Greenville Township Memorial Gardens.

Friends are invited to visit with Jay's family on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM and again on Monday from 9:30 AM until the time of service at 10:30 AM.

Memorial contributions may be given in memory of Jesse, to State of the Heart Care or Ansonia Fire Department.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com