Esther Kunkle Obituary

Esther Kunkle 1932-2025 On July 23, 2025, Esther "Dovey" Cecilia Kunkle (née Arvidson), of Starkville, MS, passed away at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle following complications from surgery. Born March 18, 1932 in Painesville, Ohio, Dovey's life was enriched by her family's proud Swedish heritage. She and her sister Karen were active members of the Vasa Club in Cleveland, making several trips to Sweden, and the lively sounds of Swedish polka music were a mainstay in her home. Dovey had the opportunity to be employed in a variety of fields including a bakery in her teens, assistant to an attorney, meter maid, and her final job leading to retirement as an employee of the Marysville (Ohio) Chamber of Commerce. In her leisure time, she loved playing board games and cards, especially pinochle; reading; gardening; and embroidery. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a worldwide fraternal, non-profit, charitable service organization. Her minister husband, Dr. Mervin "Bill" Kunkle, kept the family on the go in the first few decades of their nearly 65 year marriage, moving between Cleveland, Newberry, Deerfield, Cincinnati, Jamestown, Marion, and Richwood, Ohio; Oakfield, Wisconsin; and Elizabethtown, Kentucky. They eventually put down roots in the small town of Richwood, where Dovey lived from 1993 until earlier this year. Avid travelers, Dovey and Bill visited a wide variety of locales including several Caribbean countries, Spain, Gibraltar, Italy, Japan, Niagara Falls, and the southwestern United States. Dovey was preceded in death by father Helge Arvidson, mother Judith Arvidson, husband Bill Kunkle, sister Karen Arvidson Chilcote, son James Kunkle, and son-in-law Charles Ross. She is survived by a multitude of family including daughter Cheryl Ross; son Michael (Erica) Kunkle; daughter-in-law Krista Kunkle; brother-in-law Donald Chilcote; nieces Christine (Gregory) Bevilacqua, Michele (Jeff) Wilk, and Suzanne (Timothy) Chilcote; grandchildren Nicole Brocato, Ryan (Jennifer) Whyms, Michael Kunkle Jr., Jesse (Bethany) Bucher, Evan (Samantha) Bucher, Jamie (Henry) Bickel, Molly Kunkle, Emma Kunkle, and Deborah (Erik) Nieman; and a great-grandchild, -nieces, and -nephews. At Dovey's request, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Vasa Order of America, Lodge No. 130, c/o Rolf Bergman, 3236 Berkeley Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118