Paul E. Kunkel

Paul Kunkel of Palmer, Alaska passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 26, 2024 after an extended illness. Born September 1928 to George and Rebecca (Long) Kunkel in Mt. Sterling, Illinois, Paul attended Liberty Schools before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Paul met his wife Bobbi (Barbara Barker) from Hersman, Illinois while at Camp LeJeune, and married after a whirlwind romance. Three months later, he shipped out to 6 months of active duty in the Korean War on USNS David C. Shanks before landing in Subic Bay, where he served an additional three years. An avid hunter and fisherman, after his military discharge, Paul and Bobbi drove the very early version of the Alcan Highway from Illinois to Alaska. They homesteaded in Delta Junction, Alaska and built their first log home. Paul was part of the surveying crew that laid out Fort Greeley, Alaska and later served as the post Fire Marshall.

Returning to Illinois to aid their parents and start a family, Paul and Bobbi lived in Brown County where he worked as a mason, truck driver, mail carrier, and farmer, receiving awards for his soil conservation efforts; he was a pilot and member of the local flying club, and they both assisted in founding First Lutheran Church. Ultimately the family moved west to New Mexico and Colorado before returning to Alaska, living in Juneau and Anchorage before settling in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley where they built their second log home and raised their three daughters.

Paul retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1988 and enjoyed hunting, fishing, metal detecting, gardening, and road trips in the RV with Bobbi and their dogs. Paul hunted well into his 80s, and pursued metal detecting and ice fishing into his 90s. He was renowned for his large garden and efforts in propagating winter-hardy raspberries, gooseberries, and plum trees.

A member of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, Paul was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Kunkel, parents George and Rebecca Kunkel, and siblings Irene, Helen, Almeda, Clara, Cleta, Cletus, Anthony, Wayne, Harold, Clemons, and Henry. He is survived by his children Antoni Kunkel of Anchorage, Paula Kunkel of Palmer, and Cassandra Tilly (Chris) of Fairbanks; grandchildren Gage, Ava, Joshua, and Caleb; and a large extended family. Surviving family would like to thank Jerry Rowland and the Webster family for their friendship and many kindnesses; Karen Laning, Sharon Miller, and Marge Ackers for their lifelong support; and healthcare and hospice personnel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Lutheran Church, 111 W South Street, Mt. Sterling, IL 62353; Brown County FFA c/o Brown County School District #1, 502 E. Main Street, Mt. Sterling, IL 62353; or your favorite outdoors recreation society.