Colleen J. Kunkel

Colleen J. Kunkel, 89, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday Nov. 18, 2014 surrounded by family at Elkhart Hospice House.
Colleen was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grammy.
She was born August 8, 1925 in Middlebury to Albert and Carrie (Beachy) Fike.
On June 24, 1945 in Middlebury she married Charles Kunkel. They celebrated 52 years of marriage before Charles passed away on June 21, 1997.

Surviving are her two loving children: Barb (Brad) Cook and Steve Kunkel both of Elkhart,
daughter-in-law Liz Kunkel of Michigan; 4 grandchildren Greg Kunkel of North Carolina, Kristi Kunkel of Maryland, Heather Cook of North Carolina and Tony (Julie) Cook of Elkhart; 3 great-grandchildren Braden, Cassidy and Chloe; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Tom Kunkel on April 5, 2001, a sister Rachel Huff and a brother Charles Fike.

Colleen was a 1943 graduate of Middlebury High School where she played the saxophone for the school band. She retired from Sears Department Store after working 25 years as a clerk in the Children’s Department. She also worked as a cafeteria cashier for Elkhart Community Schools.
Colleen often spent her time baking and enjoyed time spent with family, friends and good neighbors. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and enjoyed staying in touch with friends from her “Elizabeth” church circle. Colleen was also a member of the Elkhart Luncheon Optimist Club for several years.

Visitation will be 11am to 2pm Friday Nov. 21 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at 2 pm, with Colleen’s granddaughter, Pastor Kristi Kunkel officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Rice Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials for Colleen may be made to the Elkhart Hospice House. Online condolences may be made at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com