Mary I. Kimmel

Mary Kimmel, affectionately known as Mary Lee to family and friends, 84, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Friday, September 5, 2014 at University of Michigan Hospital following a short illness.

Mary was born in Pinckney to parents David and Mary (Banghart) Steptoe and was the younger sister to Jean and William. She lived the majority of her childhood in the neighboring village of Dexter, Michigan, where she graduated from Dexter High School in 1947 – the second of four generations of DHS graduates.

After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in 1951 from Western Michigan University, Mary took a job teaching Physical Education in Roseville, Michigan. It was during this time that she met Paul Chase, and the two were married in August, 1953. Sadly, Paul passed away in 1958 after battling terminal cancer.

Mary was married to Arden Kimmel in October, 1960, and together with her daughter, Susan, they moved to Portage, Indiana where Mary received her Master’s Degree in Education from Perdue University. She took a position as a fifth grade teacher at Myers Elementary School, where she worked until her retirement in 1991.

During her teaching tenure in Portage, Mary became very involved with her local Portage, Indiana teacher’s union, eventually becoming its President. She served on the Board of Directors of the Indiana State Teacher’s Association (ISTA) from 1983 to 1989 and the Board of the ISTA Insurance Trust.

After retirement, Mary returned to her childhood home of Dexter, where she continued to serve her community. She was extremely involved as a volunteer with the Dexter Area Historical Society and Museum and Dexter’s Gordon Hall. She served on the Dexter Village Council for several years and volunteered at the polls during many Election Days. Additionally, she participated in the Webster Fall Festival as a teacher. She was a member of Dexter United Methodist Church since 1992. She also was a volunteer and employee of Greenfield Village, where she greeted and educated guests as a teacher in the school house, in the print shop, and in weaving and pottery.

Mary was very interested in genealogy and, along with other family members, traced her ancestors’ roots back several centuries, learning many wonderful facts along the way. Family tradition was very important to her, and this was evident when, each fall, Mary looked forward to hosting a “Cider Party” at her home in Dexter for family and close friends, during which they made homemade cider with an old-fashioned cider press.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Susan Chase of Washington, D.C., her brother, William (Mary Ann) Steptoe, brother-in-law Edwin (Ann) Chase, and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and beloved friends.

The funeral service for Mary will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 10 at the Dexter United Methodist Church 7643 Huron River Drive. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel.

Memorials may be made in Mary’s honor to the Dexter Area Historical Society and Museum, 3443 Inverness St., Dexter, MI, 48130.