Earnest David Schimmel, the third child of Cornelius and Cora (Van Roekel) Schimmel, was born May 28, 1939 at Tracy, Iowa. David received his grade school education at Union Country School in Clay Township near his home. He went to the 8th grade at Pella Christian Grade School and graduated. He went to Tracy High school one year and graduated from Pella Community High School with the class of 1957. Following high school graduation he started farming northeast of Pella. He raised cattle, hogs, and did grain farming.

David met Zelda Van Norden on a Sunday evening after church in Sully. They were united three years later on September 6, 1960 at Zelda's grandparents' home near Lynnville, Iowa. They were blessed with four daughters: Sharon Kay, Carla Sue, Marcie Lynn, and Melinda Beth. David and Zelda raised their daughters on the farm where they have lived for fifty-two years.

David retired from farming in 2001. He loved life on the farm with the love of his life, Zelda. He also loved traveling with family to Colorado, Washington D.C., and California. David enjoyed harvesting and canning applesauce, pears, peaches, and tomatoes. He often could be found painting or fixing up things around the farm.

He was a member of the Covenant Reformed Church in Pella. After retiring, he enjoyed doing lots of volunteer work including organizing volunteers during the building and landscaping of Covenant Church.

David passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at the age of seventy-two after suffering from mental illness.

Those who will cherish his memory are: his wife Zelda; his four daughters and their husbands; nine grandchildren; three sisters: Jean Costache of Pella, Hendrena "Dody" and Leland Braun of Prairie City, Wilmena "Willa" Branderhorst of Pella; sisters-in-law: Wilma (Schimmel) Beyer of Monroe and Lenora Van Norden of Reasnor.

David was preceded in death by: his parents; his brother, Henry Schimmel; his parents-in-law, Henry and Gertie Van Norden; and three brothers-in-law: Roger Van Norden, Gerrit Branderhorst, and George Costache.

David's family:

Wife: Zelda Schimmel - Pella, Iowa

Sharon and Calvin Fopma - Leighton, Iowa
Daniel Fopma and fianceé Tiara Smith
Leah Fopma

Carla and Jay Hofland - Sanborn, Iowa
Allan Hofland
Eric Hofland
Alyssa Hofland

Marcie and Trent Troyer - Ankeny, Iowa
Amanda Troyer
Austin Troyer

Melinda and Ryan Waddell - Leighton, Iowa
Dalton Waddell
Dylan Waddell

FUNERAL SERVICES

10:30 A.M., Monday, May 14, 2012
Covenant Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Beginning at 11:00 A.M. Sunday, May 13, 2012
with family present 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Covenant Reformed Church Building Fund

INTERMENT

Oakwood Cemetery
Pella, Iowa

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