Joseph Kunkel Obituary

Joseph Kunkel
Born: September 15, 1929
Died: May 7, 2022
WYANET – Joseph Conrad Kunkel, age 92, passed away on May 7, 2022.
Joe was born on September 15, 1929 in La Salle, IL, the son of Teresa Blume Kunkel and August Kunkel. Joe graduated from the St. Bede Academy in Peru, IL in 1947. After high school, Joe continued to work on the family farm in Granville, IL until he was drafted by the Army. In 1952, Joe met Louise Stenbeck of Oglesby, IL, at a dance in Utica, IL. The ensuing courtship was interrupted by a tour of duty in the Korean Conflict, where Joe served his country. Shortly after his return to the United States, Joe and Louise were united in Holy Matrimony on August 22, 1953 at Holy Family Catholic Church of Oglesby, IL. In March of 1954, Joe and Louise moved to a farm in Wyanet, IL where they lived and farmed happily for over 65 years. Joe was very active in the Tiskilwa community. He was a long time member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tiskilwa, IL where he served God as a Eucharistic Minister, church trustee, usher, and volunteer. Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years, the American Legion for over 40 years, the Moose Lodge in his later years, and a chartered member of the Indian Hills golf course where he golfed many years in a foursome with his brothers. Joe was an elected trustee of the Rural Fire Department for over 30 years. In addition, he served on the Ag Extension Council and was a Farm Bureau member over his lifetime. Joe's passion for farming would follow him throughout his life. With his partner, Lawrence Kunkel (who happened to be his best friend and brother), Joe worked the ground, milked the cows and pretty much did everything he needed to in order to build, grow and maintain the farm.
After his retirement in 1994, Joe "limited" his involvement on the farm to spring planting, the fall harvest, and an extraordinary amount of lawn mowing in the months between. In the summer of 2015 at age 85, Joe shared with one of his children that "… it is starting to get a little harder jumping off of and on to the tractors." One of Joe's favorite pastimes was cards. Joe loved playing cards with family, friends, and just about anyone else. He would often share tales of his card games … especially those card games with his brothers. More than one person referred to Joe as the luckiest guy on earth.
Joseph is survived by seven children, Michael Kunkel, Lynda (Mac) Abbey, Joseph David (Jill) Kunkel, Edward (Peggy) Kunkel, Robert (Erin) Kunkel, Mary Jo (Michael) Gustafson, and Gary (Sara) Kunkel; 29 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; four siblings, Lawrence Kunkel, Eugene Kunkel,Christopher (Sharon) Kunkel, and Sister Teresa Kunkel; two brothers-in-law ,Lawrence (Jane) Garzenelli and Joseph (Jonelle) Garzanelli; and twos isters-in-law, Angie Smart and Mary Ann Lasik.
Joseph is preceded in death by his wife, Louise, two sons in infancy; his parents, in laws, Edna and Mathew Garzanelli, one daughter-in-law, Sharon Kunkel; four brothers, August Kunkel, Aloysius Kunkel, Richard Kunkel, and Kenneth Kunkel; three brothers-in-law, Deacon John Stenbeck, David Lasik, and Peter Smart; and six sisters-in-law, Ann Kunkel, Rita Kunkel, Betty Kunkel, Mary Kunkel, Joan Kunkel and Loretta Stenbeck.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, May 12, in the St. Louis Catholic Church, Princeton, with Msgr. James Kruse and Deacon John Murphy officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Tiskilwa. His family will receive friends from 4 until 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, in the Chapel of The Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton, with a rosary recited at 6:30. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.