Theresa Dolores Kunkel

Theresa Dolores Kunkel, affectionately known as Terry, passed away in her home, at rest in peaceful sleep, on December 12, 2022.

Terry was born on a beautiful Arizona day December 7, 1952 to Amelia Patricia Cruz Tellock (deceased) and Roy Christian Myers (deceased). She graduated from Western High School in Anaheim, CA and spent her early years assisting in special education in Los Angeles, CA.

In 1978 she found her home in Lawton, MI where she became a loyal friend and coworker to many at Welch Foods (for over 30 years). She raised two daughters, Stephanie and Sarah (Sera), teaching them her values of independence, hard work and caregiving. Joyful memories of reuniting with her brother, ironically having settled there too. It brought great happiness to Terry to have him back in her life. Miraculously, after many years and miles between them, Terry also reunited (and later married) her high school sweetheart, Eric Kunkel. She and her husband Eric dedicated their retirement to improving their beautiful home on Railroad Street, where flowers and plants thrived. She and Eric cultivated a loving life together. In addition, she was a co-organizer of Lawton’s Garden.

Terry was predeceased by her parents, as well as her Aunt Mary Theresa MacGillivray, Uncle Fred Cruz, her sister Lisa Anne Bachman, brother Mike (Stacie) Myers and nephews Colby Anderson, Andrew Johnston and Kyle Henne. She is survived by her husband Eric Kunkel of 20 years.  Loving family, Jean (Robert) Gibby of Layton of Utah, Joyce Ilene (Pat) Hogan of Visalia. Her sisters Terry (Jerry) Anderson, Susie Myers, Lynda (Russell) Smalling, Candy Hendrix and brother James (Julie) Hendrix. Her two daughters Stephanie Wolpert (George) Norg and Sera Waite (John) Hess. Grandchildren George Norg Jr., Lauren Norg, Carter Norg, and Austin Hess. Nephews and nieces James (Marissa) Hendrix, Miriah Hendrix, Christopher Anderson, Ben Johnston, Brandon (Kim) Johnston, Desi Bachman, Kameron Kirkland, Courtney Henne, Myles Myers, Madison Myers (Coleman) Kaczynski, and numerous cousins.
Family and friends are invited to visit Friday, December 16, 2022, from 10 - 12 p.m., at the Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Ave, Paw Paw, where a funeral service will commence at 12:00 p.m. Burial will conclude at Oak Grove Cemetery, Lawton.

Family and friends are encouraged to share condolence messages online or on her new Facebook page.