John Edwin Kunkel
John Edwin Kunkel, 86, of Springfield, died Tuesday evening, August 26, 2008 in the Oakwood Village Glaesner Care Center. He was born in Springfield on January 28, 1922 the son of the late John Parke and Elinor (Boolman) Kunkel.
He attended Springfield High School and served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII. He served in the European Theater during the Battles of the Bulge and the Huertgen Forest. During his military service he was awarded two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, and a Presidential Unit Citation. Upon returning to Springfield John owned and operated the Floor Service Company for many years. Following his retirement, he and his wife, Betty lived in Florida for seventeen years. He was a member of Central Christian Church for over 50 years and attended Pitchin United Methodist Church. Other memberships include the Springfield Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and past master of Clark Lodge 101 F. & A.M., past superintendent of the Masonic Temple, Knights Templar, Norris Chapter Order of Eastern Star, Norm Carey's 44th O.V.I. Band, and was a special deputy under Sheriff Art Schuman.
John wrote and published several books of poems with some books being in the Library of Congress. He was a licensed pilot through Crabill's Airport. His hobbies were varied and included making miniature wooden doll furniture to scale, making wooden crosses as necklaces, and jigsaw puzzles. John and his son-in-law, Jim were constant companions, going on many adventures together. Jim orchestrated John's receiving an honorary diploma from Springfield South High School six decades after leaving school to join the Army as well as becoming an ordained lay minister at Central Christian Church. Every friend that John had was treated as family and every stranger was treated as a friend. John loved the residents and staff at Oakwood Village especially a special friend, Amy Barnhart and caregiver, Karen who was always there when needed.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Gloria Jean and Jim Lykins of Urbana; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Bob Bayley of Springfield; three grandchildren, John M. (Hope) Ferguson, James (Amanda) Lykins, and C. Scott (Jennifer Reed) Lykins; and six great grandchildren, Jason R., Joseph J., John M.II, and Joshua C. Ferguson, Emma Lykins, and Evan J. Lykins. Also surviving is a niece, Martha (Ronald) O'Connor and their family; sister-in-law, Jean Ann Leffel; and a brother-in-law, Edward (Betty Jane) Anderson and their family of Pensacola, Florida.
John was preceded in death by the love of his life, Betty H. Anderson Kunkel; aunt and uncle, Frank and Nora Smith; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Joseph and Garnet Anderson; and brothers-in-law, Joseph William Leffel and Joseph W. Anderson.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday in the LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME. Military Order of the Purple Heart services will be held at 6:45 p.m. followed by Masonic services at 7:00 p.m. John's funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home with Rev. Paul Price and Pastor Dan Reihing officiating. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4-7.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Springfield Chapter Military Order of the Purple Heart c/o Jim Ryan, 1535 Sheaff Rd., Springfield, OH 45504, Central Christian Church, 1504 Villa Rd., Springfield, OH 45503, Pitchin United Methodist Church, c/o 3214 Sudbury St., Springfield, OH 45503, or Honor Flight, 300 E. Auburn Ave., Springfield, OH 45505.
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