Erma Jean Gunkel, (Jean), age 101, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. She was born on January 17, 1924, in Elkhart, Indiana, to the parents of Lester and Grace Shekels. She and her parents lived in Elkhart until they moved to Chicago, Il in 1935. She met her future husband while in high school and they married in 1943 while he was in the Army Air Corps as a B-26 bomber pilot, and she was a secretary. They were married 72 years.
Jean was always active in her church, including a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Eustis’ Women’s organizations. She volunteered at Eustis’ Trout Lake Nature Center gift shop and helped tutor elementary kids.Jean liked to knit, crochet, sew and cane furniture. She and her husband, Walter, enjoyed square dancing, round dancing and cross-country skiing.Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Walter W. Gunkel, her parents Lester and Grace Shekels and her daughter, Susan L. Kruchten (Gary). She is survived by her sons, Ronald W. Gunkel (Margie) and Paul S. Gunkel (Barb), three grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Fraser Funeral Home, 8168 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32221 on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Fraser Funeral Home Chapel
Gary Kruchten
February 16, 2025, 7:00 pm
Jean was the most wonderful mother-in-law that I could ever hope for. I have such great memories of times together with her at her home in Florida with her daughter, Susan, and our kids over the many years. We miss you and will love you forever.