Dr. Norbert Louis “Bud” Immel passed away on April 27th,2023 following a lengthy illness which he battled with grace and courage. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 27th, 1928 to Paul and Mary Immel, and was a longtime resident of Ocala where he raised his family, practiced dentistry, and served his community.
Bud retired from a dental practice he loved in 1992, and devoted his time to photography, boating, fishing, golfing, woodworking, computers, planning trips (and then enjoying the travel), camping, and cooking impromptu breakfast for his family (often early morning at the lake!). He enjoyed following his alma maters, Notre Dame and Northwestern Dental School, but was willing to cheer for the Gators, Seminoles, UCF, and countless athletic games for his children and grandchildren. In retirement, he and Carole enjoyed their summer home in Waynesville, North Carolina.
He served in the United States Navy as a Dental officer, where he met his wife, Carole, while stationed in Astoria, Oregon. He promptly moved to Jacksonville, Florida to court and marry his wife of 69 years at St. Paul’s Church in Jacksonville, and then settled in Ocala, Florida in 1956 to open his practice on the downtown square.
Bud served many groups: Blessed Trinity Church (including the building committee and parish council), Trinity Villas, Brother’s Keeper, Jaycees, Kiwanis, Elks, the Central Florida Dental Association, and the Cursillo and Kairos movement. Bud was also a weekly visitor to the adoration chapel. He loved to help family and friends learn or troubleshoot their computers.
Bud is survived by his wife Carole, daughters Margie Armstrong(David) and Sue Milton(Al), Grandchildren Chris Milton(Lindsay), Laura Tuck(Kevin), Julie Shreffler(Brad), Michael Armstrong, Kayla Immel, Kennis Immel, Kirsten Immel, Kourtlyn Immel, and great-grandchildren Maysen, Bryce, Hudson, Zack, Beau, Walker, and Reagan, and nephews and niece Robert, Jack, Bruce and Ann O’Hale.
He will be greeted in heaven by his Savior, his parents Paul and Mary Immel, sisters Lorraine Virnig and Mercedes O’Hale, his sons Mark and Michael, and his grandson Drew.
A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at Blessed Trinity Church Thursday May 4th, 11:30 AM.