Donald E. Kimmet, 84, of Ottawa, passed away at 12:50 p.m. on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at the Meadows of Ottawa. Don was born May 13, 1937 in Van Wert County to the late Hilary and Grace (Slattery) Kimmet. On June 2, 1962 he married Shirlie A. Lucke, she survives in Ottawa. Don was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa.
They were blessed with two sons: Dennis E. Kimmet of Bluffton and Dwaine A. Kimmet of Atlanta, GA. Don was the second of six children. Other survivors include one brother: Terry (Nila) Kimmet of Grafton, VA; three sisters: Carol Ann Westhaus of Livonia, MI, Sandra Morrisey of Lima, and Debra (Greg) Baumgartner of Findlay.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert; and two brothers-in-law, Jack Morrisey and Harry Westhaus.
Don graduated from Bluffton High School in 1955. In 1959 he received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Ohio State University, Columbus. In 1963 he received his Masters of Science, also from Ohio State University, Columbus. He was a 4-H agent in Ottawa County for three years. In 1964 he moved to Ottawa, Ohio where he was the County Agriculture Agent in Putnam County for twenty four years, retiring in 1988 at the age of 50. He retired as an assistant professor of Ohio State University.
Don was known for his leadership in high value crops, especially tomatoes and pickles in Putnam County, while in Ottawa County, fruit trees and tomatoes. Time was spent in 1992 teaching high value crop production in Egypt, along the Nile River as a consultant.
He was truly a dynamic person to meet and was known for his work throughout the years with many administrative and organizational boards he served, as someone who got things done. He will be remembered by the closest to him for his intelligence, wisdom and his smiling demeanor. Don was a man of many talents, but his greatest talent was people. He could speak to anyone, anywhere, about anything and always left a warm afterglow.
Don was a member of the Putnam County Health Board. He was on the advisory board for Mid Am Bank in Northwest Ohio, as well as a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Knights of Columbus. Don was also a licensed real estate agent. After retirement he developed several housing subdivisions in Bluffton, with 186 homes, which was Hilltop Addition along the Riley Creek. In March of 2020 Don was inducted into the Putnam County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
The past few years Shirlie and Don spent their winters in Florida. Don enjoyed riding his bike about 10 miles daily, with the average of 500 to 600 miles a winter for exercise.
He enjoyed shop work and working on his antique tractor collection he put together. He also enjoyed going to his apartment complexes and rental houses weekly. He always had a daily “to do list” and would not be happy until everything was crossed off at day's end. Don loved to help others.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 25, 2021 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa with Father Scott Kramer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Love Funeral Home, 405 E. Third St., Ottawa.
In lieu of flowers, we request that you do a good deed for a friend or neighbor in honor of Don. Memorial donations may be made to Putnam County Council on Aging, Putnam County Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.
