Arthur J. Kunkel
Arthur J. Kunkel, 89, of 2535 Old Orchard Rd., a truly devoted husband, father, and grandfather, proud owner and operator of Quincy Building Materials Company, died on Friday (Nov 25, 2016) at 1:16 p.m. in Blessing Hospital.
Arthur was born on July 16, 1927 in Quincy to a warm and welcoming Arthur V. and Hilda Zimmerman Kunkel. He is survived by the love of his life, Nancy Fuelbier. They married on June 30, 1951 in St. Peter Church in Quincy, where they have been active, life-long parishioners.
Mr. Kunkel attended St. Francis Grade School and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1945, where he was an accomplished catcher on the baseball team and an acclaimed center for the football team. He served in the U.S. Navy for two and a half years before receiving an invitation to The Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he met his lifelong friend and best man, Ed O’Shea. Arthur returned to Quincy to attend Quincy College and become a member of the first ever QU football team. In 2015, Art, along with his long-time friend Hank Constanino, were recognized at the opening of the new QU stadium as members of that first QU football team. He remained active in sports, particularly tennis throughout most of his life.
Mr. Kunkel owned and operated successful family businesses for almost 47 years. He retired as owner and manager of Quincy Building Materials Company and Kunkel Packing and Provision both originating at 20th and Broadway. He transitioned into Real Estate enjoying a second career with Davis and Associates until 2009.
He was a member of the Quincy Exchange Club, The Knights of Columbus Third Degree. For many years, he was a member of Spring Lake Country Club, Quincy Country Club and the Quincy Racquet Club. He was proud to participate in an Honor Flight to visit the national memorials in Washington, D.C.
In addition to his beloved Nancy, Arthur is survived by his daughter Kristin Kunkel Frohn and her husband Brad of Beverly Hills, MI; four grandchildren, Keaton, Kendall, Kelsey, and Kaitlin Frohn; and a nephew Dennis “Denny” Campbell and his wife Nancy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Marjorie Kunkel Campbell along with her husband Raymond.
Both surviving and preceding Arthur in death, are numerous lifetime friends, including the “Romeos” who counted on him to make regular lunch group arrangements; worldwide traveling companions of his and Nancy’s; his card game partners; caregivers who assisted both at their residence and at Good Samaritan Home; and the children of his and Nancy’s close circle of friends whom he treated as his own family.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 2, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in the Church of St. Peter with Monsignor Leo Enlow as officiant. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be held Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Quincy University,Quincy Notre Dame, the School Sisters of Notre Dame or Franciscans of the Sacred Heart Province.
www.dukerandhaugh.com
Kristie, I was so sorry to learn of your father’s passing. I have always remembered him for two things, 1. his extraordinary elegance and 2. how much he adored both you and your mom. I am so terribly sorry. Cindy
Mr. Kunkel was one of the first men that I met as a kid while ‘learning what Dad does’. I was an inquisitive kid, and he always had time to show me how concrete blocks were made, how stone was cut, and the other stuff a bricklayer’s kid wants to know. Dad considered him a great friend and business associate, always spoke highly of him.
To: Kristi, my friend,
to your mother, and to your family,
In our teens and twenties, we shared the love of many things: singing, tennis, our Catholic faith, laughter, family, friends, friendship, vacations, confidences, and education.
Now, at this time of your father’s passing, I recall his strength, his laughter, and his love for life, for your mother, and for you!
Death has claimed him, but only in body. His soul has joined the Communion of Saints. Your father will continue to be with you, but in a new way.
I believe each time you call him to mind, he will be with you in heart and in spirit. As you pray for him, he will be lovingly, prayerfully supporting you.
Please know that I will be praying daily for you, Kristi, for your mother, and for your family as you grieve the loss of his physical presence in your lives.
May Christ’s Love and Peace be yours.
Mary Kay (Briddle) Kochis
kochis7449@comcast.net
We had the honor of meeting Art and Nancy when they visited our dear friend Kristin here in Beverly Hills. It is clear that Kristin adores both of her parents and was certainly “Daddy’s Little Girl”. Our thoughts are with Kristin and Brad and the whole “Fraulein Family”. We will support Kristin when she returns to Michigan. I love her like a sister and will do everything possible to help her through this difficult time.
Nancy, Our thoughts & prayers are with you and your family in this time of your great loss!HOUS
Dear Nancy,
We are saddened to learn of Art’s passing. At the same time, we honor the significant life of a sincere and accomplished man.
Art was one of the first that Dick met when he came to Quincy in 1944. That was on the American Legion baseball field (Mart Heinen was our coach). Our meeting on the athletic field continued in football when Art and his Notre Dame teammates, including Bob Hoebing. Jim and Jack Finegan, Hank Constantino , Bill Killen and Bob Zwick (Pete Affre, coacjh) defeated our Blue Devils (Boots Bush, coach) with star players, John and Russ Merkel, Ronnie Jackson and Tex Bier, among others. We later joined on the Quincy Hawks baseball team.
It was always a pleasure to meet Art (and Nancy) through the years. He will be remembered kindly. God Bless.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. His good and kind spirit will be missed by all who have had the honor and privilege of knowing him.
How blessed we have been to have had Mr. K. be such an integral part of our whole lives. We treasure the priviledge of having him as a 2nd Father. Our hearts are heavy as our good Lord & his lifelong Romeo lunch buddies welcome him to eternal life. Tom recalls those days working at Qcy. Building Materials with Art & fondly, nicknaming him the “Minute Man” because he could cube & stack those concrete blocks faster than anyone. We’ll forever treasure memories of him captaining at the boat helm in Marco and his love of the sea. One of my fondest memories are of a dad taking his young daughter, Kristin & I to the Ringling Bros. Circus in St. Louis. Sweet Artie, as Mrs. K endearingly called him, will live on in the hearts of so many whose lives he touched with his kind altruistic friendship. To his 4 beautiful grandchildren who he’s so proud of, your Bumpa’s legacy lives on in each of you. Know that our prayers are with you, your Nana & your parents as you navigate the huge void that is felt in your loss. Our condolences, Lisa & Tom
Bonnie and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Jerry was a great guy. May God grant you all peace.
Dear Nancy and Family, What a kind man he was and always a gentleman .