Mark Eric Kimmel

Mark Eric Kimmel, 73, of Fond du Lac, died Thursday, November 7, 2024, at SSM Hospice Home of Hope. He was born in Johnstown, PA on September 25, 1951, to Melvin Eugene and Margaret (Sehar) Berkey. Following his parents’ divorce at a young age, Mark was adopted by Margaret’s sister, Nellie and her husband, Hayden “Bill” Kimmel. Mark’s grandmother, Mary Sehar, decided to live with the Kimmel’s and raise Mark, while Bill and Nellie worked. 

The Kimmel family moved extensively throughout Mark’s childhood and teens, from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, to Indiana, and Wisconsin. He graduated from high school in Richmond, Indiana and in 1974 graduated from Purdue University, having received his degree through the university’s Food Science Institute of Animal Science. Marks first job was QA Manager at the Larson Company in Green Bay. 

In 1978, Mark took a job as QC Manager at California Canner’s and Growers in Lomira. He moved to Lomira and built a home. In 1981, the plant was closed, and Mark was transferred to the company’s California location. He moved to Sunnyvale, CA working for the company two more years, including another move to Livermore, CA while working in quality assurance in Sunnyvale and financing in San Francisco. 

While in Lomira, Mark met Sharron Casper. Their oldest daughter, Christina, was born in Lomira in 1982 and that winter, Sharron and Christina moved to Livermore. They were married on January 29, 1983. 

Following California Canner’s bankruptcy in 1983, Mark took a job as R&D Director at National Preserves Company in San Jose, CA. He changed jobs in 1984 and went to work for Stanislaus Food Products in Modesto, CA, as QC Manager. Mark worked for Stanislaus Food for 32 years, retiring December 31, 2016. During his career there, he was promoted to Production Manager, VP of Production, Senior VP of QC, Research and Development, Operations, and National Sales. In 1999, Mark was offered and accepted a minority ownership position in the company. During this time Mark and Sharron welcomed their youngest daughter, Lauren, born in 1991. 

Following retirement, Mark and Sharron moved to Fond du Lac in April of 2017, having bought a house here. Sharron died of a heart attack on July 5, 2021. 

Mark was a member of the Old Baldy Hunt Club of Ontonagon, MI, since 1977. He holds a worldwide patent for producing canned seedless tomato chunks, was President of the Food Processor’s Sanitation Association for 10 years, and Head Coordinator for the Tomato Processing School for 8 years. Mark was a research chef, attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and developed many recipes for multiple Italian restaurants. 

Mark is survived by his daughters, Chrissy Kimmel (Keith), and Lauren (Ryan) Miller, and granddaughters, Cordelia Paige, and Audra Delphine. He was preceded in death by his biological and adoptive parents, and his wife, Sharron. 

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 PM with burial in St. Charles Cemetery to follow. Cremation has taken place. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mark’s memory to the American Heart Association and/or the American Diabetes Association are appreciated. 

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com