Rex Arrington Rimmel

     Rex Arrington Rimmel, age 96, of Ithaca, MI, passed away peacefully Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at Arbor Grove Assisted Living, Alma, MI.
     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, August 16, 2024, with Pastor Robby Lewis and John Christensen officiating. Burial will take place at Ithaca Cemetery, Ithaca, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 5:30-8:00 P.M. and on Friday, August 16, 2024, from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
     Rex was born in Kalamazoo, MI on December 10, 1927, the son of Bernard and Pauline (Peck) Rimmel. He married Dolores "Doff" M. Gutscher on June 24, 1949 in Battle Creek, Michigan. They were blessed with seventy-five years of marriage prior to her passing just two short weeks ago on July 24, 2024.
      He graduated from Battle Creek Lakeview High School in 1945 and attended the University of Wisconsin prior to enlisting in the United States Army. He served January of 1946 to July of 1947 in Germany during the War of the Occupation. Upon returning, he obtained his undergraduate degree from Kalamazoo College and in 1954 he graduated from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Rex did his internship from July 1, 1954 to June 30,1955 at Carson City Hospital and opened his practice in Ithaca on July 1, 1955. He was named the Osteopathic General Practitioner of the Year in 1990. Rex was the first physician staff representative to the Board of Directors at Carson City Hospital where he served on the board for many years. After 42 years of practicing family medicine at the Ithaca Clinic, Dr. Rimmel hung up his stethoscope and retired in 1997. On December 19, 2012 he was reclassified as a Board Director Emeritus granting him lifetime privileges.
       Rex enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time at their cottage on Island Lake near Traverse City. He was an avid golfer who was a member at the Gratiot Country Club for many years. Rex founded the Rex Rimmel Greater Traverse City Open that went on for over 40 years. Rex and Doff had many golf trips with their Goofin' Golf Gang. They also enjoyed traveling together and spending some winters in Florida. He was an avid U of M and Ithaca Yellowjacket fan. Rex was always there to support his grandchildren and great grandchildren in their sporting events and activities. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca for more than 60 years and a lifetime member of the Alma Elks Lodge and Ithaca Rotary Club.
       He is survived by his daughters: Sally (Larry) Bond of Elwell, MI, Susan (Chris) Sparks of Sumner, MI, Shelley (Larry) Faucette of Chapel Hill, NC, grandchildren: Jayms (Carrie) Bond, Eric (Bec) Bond, Andrew (Rachel) Bond, Angela (Jason) Ostrander, Michael (Nikki) Sparks, Megan (Derek) Hessbrook, Ashleigh Faucette, and Haleigh Faucette, 12 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by sister Suzanne McLinden, of Ponte Vedra, FL and a niece and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Doff, his son Rick and daughter-in-law Mary Rimmel, and brother-in-law David McLinden.
     Memorials may be made to the Ithaca High School Boys & Girls Golf Programs. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Ithaca Chapel, Ithaca, Michigan.