Mabel L. Kunkel

Mabel L. Kunkel, 90, Rockford, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born November 12, 1922, in West Memphis, Arkansas, the daughter of Howard and Ruby (Paris) Wynant. Mabel married Donald Kunkel in Pontiac, IL on June 6, 1948. She was employed with Gamble's in Pontiac. After moving to Streator in 1955, Mabel raised her family, worked at Gamble's in Streator, and then at Illinois Fruit and Produce. After retirement in 1983, they moved to Harlingen, TX. After Donald's death in 2000 Mabel remained in Texas until she moved to Rockford in 2007. She is a past member of First Lutheran Church (Pontiac, IL), St. Paul Lutheran Church (Streator, IL), Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church (Harlingen, TX) and presently a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church (Rockford, IL). Mabel was always strengthened and inspired by her faith, family and friends. Mabel enjoyed playing cards, especially Bridge, knitting, solving crossword puzzles, and cooking for her family. She loved spending time with her family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survived by her son, Alan (Jane) Kunkel of Georgia, her daughter, Janice (Dale) Melquist of Rockford; her grandchildren, Matthew (Courtney) Kunkel, Lynn Kunkel, Leslie (Chris) Vining, Jonathan (Anna) Kryder, Jennifer (Peter) Ratkovic, Mike (Michelle) Melquist and Connie (Tommy) Wells; great-grandchildren, Payton, Tucker and Kessler Kunkel, David and Leo Vining, Liam Kryder, Thomas and Kayla Wells, Noah, Brennan, Alyssa and Shyla Melquist; brothers-in-law, Donald Schneeman of Pontiac and Clarence Weber of Michigan; sister-in-laws, Shirley Wynant of Pontiac and Jean Bravo of San Diego; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Dorothy Voss of San Diego, and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces. Predeceased by her husband, Donald; brothers, John and Frank Wynant; sisters, Lura Weber, Katie Schneeman and Dorothy Montei; and son-in-law David Kryder.
Memorial services will be at 11:30 am, Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural Street, Rockford, IL with Reverend Jeff Fricke officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30 am until 11:15 am on Saturday at the church. There will be another memorial service and internment in June in Pontiac, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be used for a commemorative garden.