New Richmond – Ralph F. Kunkel, age 94, of New Richmond, died peacefully in his daughter's home, 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2015 following declining health. He was born March 24, 1920 in Waynetown, IN and was a son of the late Fowler and Elizabeth Vail Kunkel. He married Lois Lane on September 6, 1941 in Jamestown and she preceded him in death, October 6, 2010.
Ralph had resided in New Richmond since 1930, was a graduate of New Richmond High School and served with the US Army Signal Corps. In 1945 he established Kunkel Plumbing & Heating and operated it until retiring in 1982. He also served as Sexton/Caretaker of the New Richmond Cemetery for over 20 years. Ralph was an active member of the community, serving as an original board member that established Coal Creek Fire & Rescue, a volunteer fire-fighter for over 25 years, board member of the former New Richmond Savings & Loan, an active member of the New Richmond Masonic Lodge, where he moved through the chairs twice and a member for nearly 65 years. He also belonged to the Scottish Rite and Murat Shrine. He had been attending Church of Abundant Faith. He had served as a 'Blue Coat' volunteer at the Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette for 25 years.
Ralph served as an 'extra' in the filming of the movie 'Hoosiers', some of which was filmed in New Richmond. He enjoyed relating stories of that experience. Ralph knew the infrastructure of New Richmond and assisted with locating and identifying underground utilities as new lines were installed. For his dedication to the town of New Richmond, a street was named in his honor, 'Ralph Kunkel Parkway' in July 2014. Ralph had a kind, gentle nature, a quick wit and never met a stranger. He leaves a community full of friends.
Surviving are; a son Roger (Janice) Kunkel and a daughter, Janet Brown both of New Richmond. Sister, Marjorie Cox of Romney. Three grandchildren: Lisa (Will) Hampton of New Richmond, Michelle Kunkel of Fishers and Ryan (Anita) Brown of New Richmond. Great-grandchildren Britta, Derek and Haley Hampton, Riley Brown, Scott Newkirk, Great-great grandchildren: Maddison Boswell, Owen and Ryder Newkirk. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson Scott Kunkel, two sisters, Maxine Bridge and Betty Ellis, a brother Donald.
Ralph's family will receive guests 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Family & Friends Funeral Home of Wingate. With a Masonic service at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2015 at the funeral home with John Pettigrew, M D officiating. Burial will following in New Richmond Cemetery, with military honors by Crawfordsville American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to Church of Abundant Faith.
Ralph had resided in New Richmond since 1930, was a graduate of New Richmond High School and served with the US Army Signal Corps. In 1945 he established Kunkel Plumbing & Heating and operated it until retiring in 1982. He also served as Sexton/Caretaker of the New Richmond Cemetery for over 20 years. Ralph was an active member of the community, serving as an original board member that established Coal Creek Fire & Rescue, a volunteer fire-fighter for over 25 years, board member of the former New Richmond Savings & Loan, an active member of the New Richmond Masonic Lodge, where he moved through the chairs twice and a member for nearly 65 years. He also belonged to the Scottish Rite and Murat Shrine. He had been attending Church of Abundant Faith. He had served as a 'Blue Coat' volunteer at the Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette for 25 years.
Ralph served as an 'extra' in the filming of the movie 'Hoosiers', some of which was filmed in New Richmond. He enjoyed relating stories of that experience. Ralph knew the infrastructure of New Richmond and assisted with locating and identifying underground utilities as new lines were installed. For his dedication to the town of New Richmond, a street was named in his honor, 'Ralph Kunkel Parkway' in July 2014. Ralph had a kind, gentle nature, a quick wit and never met a stranger. He leaves a community full of friends.
Surviving are; a son Roger (Janice) Kunkel and a daughter, Janet Brown both of New Richmond. Sister, Marjorie Cox of Romney. Three grandchildren: Lisa (Will) Hampton of New Richmond, Michelle Kunkel of Fishers and Ryan (Anita) Brown of New Richmond. Great-grandchildren Britta, Derek and Haley Hampton, Riley Brown, Scott Newkirk, Great-great grandchildren: Maddison Boswell, Owen and Ryder Newkirk. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson Scott Kunkel, two sisters, Maxine Bridge and Betty Ellis, a brother Donald.
Ralph's family will receive guests 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Family & Friends Funeral Home of Wingate. With a Masonic service at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2015 at the funeral home with John Pettigrew, M D officiating. Burial will following in New Richmond Cemetery, with military honors by Crawfordsville American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to Church of Abundant Faith.
New Richmond – Ralph F. Kunkel, age 94, of New Richmond, died peacefully in his daughter's home, 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2015 following declining health. He was born March 24, 1920 in Waynetown, IN and was a son of the late Fowler and Elizabeth Vail Kunkel. He married Lois Lane on September 6, 1941 in Jamestown and she preceded him in death, October 6, 2010.
Ralph had resided in New Richmond since 1930, was a graduate of New Richmond High School and served with the US Army Signal Corps. In 1945 he established Kunkel Plumbing & Heating and operated it until retiring in 1982. He also served as Sexton/Caretaker of the New Richmond Cemetery for over 20 years. Ralph was an active member of the community, serving as an original board member that established Coal Creek Fire & Rescue, a volunteer fire-fighter for over 25 years, board member of the former New Richmond Savings & Loan, an active member of the New Richmond Masonic Lodge, where he moved through the chairs twice and a member for nearly 65 years. He also belonged to the Scottish Rite and Murat Shrine. He had been attending Church of Abundant Faith. He had served as a 'Blue Coat' volunteer at the Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette for 25 years.
Ralph served as an 'extra' in the filming of the movie 'Hoosiers', some of which was filmed in New Richmond. He enjoyed relating stories of that experience. Ralph knew the infrastructure of New Richmond and assisted with locating and identifying underground utilities as new lines were installed. For his dedication to the town of New Richmond, a street was named in his honor, 'Ralph Kunkel Parkway' in July 2014. Ralph had a kind, gentle nature, a quick wit and never met a stranger. He leaves a community full of friends.
Surviving are; a son Roger (Janice) Kunkel and a daughter, Janet Brown both of New Richmond. Sister, Marjorie Cox of Romney. Three grandchildren: Lisa (Will) Hampton of New Richmond, Michelle Kunkel of Fishers and Ryan (Anita) Brown of New Richmond. Great-grandchildren Britta, Derek and Haley Hampton, Riley Brown, Scott Newkirk, Great-great grandchildren: Maddison Boswell, Owen and Ryder Newkirk. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson Scott Kunkel, two sisters, Maxine Bridge and Betty Ellis, a brother Donald.
Ralph's family will receive guests 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Family & Friends Funeral Home of Wingate. With a Masonic service at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2015 at the funeral home with John Pettigrew, M D officiating. Burial will following in New Richmond Cemetery, with military honors by Crawfordsville American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to Church of Abundant Faith.
Ralph had resided in New Richmond since 1930, was a graduate of New Richmond High School and served with the US Army Signal Corps. In 1945 he established Kunkel Plumbing & Heating and operated it until retiring in 1982. He also served as Sexton/Caretaker of the New Richmond Cemetery for over 20 years. Ralph was an active member of the community, serving as an original board member that established Coal Creek Fire & Rescue, a volunteer fire-fighter for over 25 years, board member of the former New Richmond Savings & Loan, an active member of the New Richmond Masonic Lodge, where he moved through the chairs twice and a member for nearly 65 years. He also belonged to the Scottish Rite and Murat Shrine. He had been attending Church of Abundant Faith. He had served as a 'Blue Coat' volunteer at the Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette for 25 years.
Ralph served as an 'extra' in the filming of the movie 'Hoosiers', some of which was filmed in New Richmond. He enjoyed relating stories of that experience. Ralph knew the infrastructure of New Richmond and assisted with locating and identifying underground utilities as new lines were installed. For his dedication to the town of New Richmond, a street was named in his honor, 'Ralph Kunkel Parkway' in July 2014. Ralph had a kind, gentle nature, a quick wit and never met a stranger. He leaves a community full of friends.
Surviving are; a son Roger (Janice) Kunkel and a daughter, Janet Brown both of New Richmond. Sister, Marjorie Cox of Romney. Three grandchildren: Lisa (Will) Hampton of New Richmond, Michelle Kunkel of Fishers and Ryan (Anita) Brown of New Richmond. Great-grandchildren Britta, Derek and Haley Hampton, Riley Brown, Scott Newkirk, Great-great grandchildren: Maddison Boswell, Owen and Ryder Newkirk. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson Scott Kunkel, two sisters, Maxine Bridge and Betty Ellis, a brother Donald.
Ralph's family will receive guests 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Family & Friends Funeral Home of Wingate. With a Masonic service at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2015 at the funeral home with John Pettigrew, M D officiating. Burial will following in New Richmond Cemetery, with military honors by Crawfordsville American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to Church of Abundant Faith.
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