Betty M. Kunkel, 94, of rural Bluffton, passed away Wednesday morning, Nov. 27, 2019, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Ft. Wayne.

Born in Bluffton on July 10, 1925, to John and Emma (Schoonover) Eichhorn, Betty married Norman W. Kunkel in Bluffton on July 5, 1947.  Norm preceded her in death on Dec. 14, 1981.

Betty graduated from Lancaster Central High School in 1942 and was a lifelong member of Murray Missionary Church, where she played the piano for over 50 years.  She and Norm co-owned and operated the Bowling Center in Bluffton from 1966 until Norm passed away in 1981.  She then co-owned the business with her sons until the business was sold in 2018.

Betty enjoyed her flower gardens and also gardening and canning vegetables.  She especially enjoyed attending all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's events.

Survivors include a daughter, Pam (Ron) Ross of Melbourne, FL; three sons, Steve (Cindy) Kunkel of Avon, Stan (Deb) Kunkel of Bluffton, and Tim (Jane) Kunkel of Bluffton; 11 grandchildren, Troy Wilkin, Trent Wilkin, Jason (Jill) Kunkel, Kim (Nic) Szarenski, Kelli (Shane) Heath, Brent (Danielle) Kunkel, Chelsea (Stefan) Phillips, Jarrod (Lydia) Kunkel, Sarah (Bruce) Jackson, Jennifer (Richie) Secor, and Emily (Blake) Wyatt; 22 great-grandchildren, Tori and Tara Wilkin, Shane, Trevor, and Trey Wilkin, Anthony (Mary) DeStasio, Tailur and Garrett Szarenski, Ian and Anna Heath, Cora, Wesley, Eliza, and Harrison Kunkel, Conner, Griffin, Elliot, Simeon, and Theodore Kunkel, Noah Jackson, and Benjamin and Joshua Secor; along with two great-great grandchildren, A.J. and J.J. DeStasio.

In addition to her husband and parents, Betty was preceded in death by a daughter, Patsy Kunkel; a granddaughter, Jodi Kunkel; and two brothers, Robert "Bob" and Elco Eichhorn.

Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, from noon until 6:00 PM, at Goodwin – Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel in Bluffton.  Services will be Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, at 10:30 AM, at Murray Missionary Church, with an additional hour of visitation prior to the service at the church.  Pastor Mike Gilbert will officiate.  Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery in Tocsin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Murray Missionary Church or Visiting Nurse of Ft. Wayne.