Carmi Times

Fri Sep 11, 2009

Mt. Carmel -

Donna Ellen Dunkel, 82, Mt. Carmel, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 at Oakview Heights Continuous Care and Rehab Center in Mt. Carmel.

She was born Feb. 23, 1927 in St. Francisville, the daughter of Franklin Michael and Rose Mary (Fox) Price. She married Maurice Henry "Gus" Dunkel on June 25, 1947 in Mt. Carmel, and he preceded her in death on July 6, 1989.

Donna, who attended Eastern Illinois University, was formerly a school teacher, homemaker and secretary at Short-Cunningham Funeral Homes. She was also a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Music was one of Donna's passions. She enjoyed playing piano and organ at home, at St. Mary's Catholic Church and for the community. She loved her family and her church, and was involved in various philanthropic and social activities, including the Daughters of Isabella, St. Mary's Quilters, the Mt. Carmel Woman's Club, the Friendsville Club, the Wabash Valley Arts Council, Wabash County Farm Bureau and P.E.O., and she was a Beta Gamma Master of Beta Sigma Phi.

Survivors include four sons, Michael Anthony Dunkel (Judy), Christopher Maurice Dunkel (Stacey) and John Franklin Dunkel (Valerie), all of Mt. Carmel, and Jacob Price Dunkel (Vicki) of Sapulpa, Okla.; three daughters, Mary Jo Timberlake (George) of Mt. Vernon, Ill., Sally Ann Wilderman of Mt. Carmel and Carol Sue Woodard of Evansville, Ind.; a sister, Joan (Price) Wolfe; two brothers-in-law, Eugene Dunkel and Albert Dunkel; one sister-in-law, Kathleen Dunkel; six grandsons, Jason Schanzle, Rhett Dunkel (Elizabeth), Cody Dunkel, Brian Woodard, Evan Dunkel and Curtis Dunkel (Paula); four granddaughters, Evie Dunkel, Courtney Dunkel, Marcerie Dunkel Hocking (Jeremy) and Jennifer Dunkel; and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to her spouse, she was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; a grandson, Adam Michael Dunkel (survived by wife Jessica) of Tucson Ariz.; and a son-in-law, Dr. Charles G. Schanzle of Carmi.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at Short Funeral Home, with a Rosary immediately following at 8 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery in Mt. Carmel.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church or St. Mary's School.