Joan B. Wilson Kunkler

1925 - 2023

Joan B. Wilson Kunkler, formerly of Connellsville, Pa., and Charlottesville, Va., died peacefully on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Concord, N.C., where she lived at Terra Bella Retirement Community, Harrisburg, N.C. Joan was born on November 25, 1925, in Alliance, Ohio, the daughter of local druggist and pharmacy owner Howard M. Bergert and Mary J. Carson. She graduated Alliance High School before attending Lake Erie Women's College, Painesville, Ohio, graduating with a triple major that included Music and Physical Education. While music was her first love, her athletic achievements were a point of pride, with track records that stood for years. Upon returning to Alliance, she was active in Eastern Star, with over fifty years of membership, and often sang as a soloist throughout the Alliance community.

It was all about music, including marrying her Minister of Music's son, Thomas W. Faris, who adopted Eric and Ellen, her children from her first marriage. The family moved to Connellsville, Pa. in 1960, where Tom became the CAHS art teacher. For years the family sang in the community as members of The Mozart Club, in a popular madrigal group Joan and Tom helped form, as well as in community choruses and at First Presbyterian Church. But ultimately the highlight of Joan's Connellsville life was her twenty-five-year career at the famous Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's world-renowned masterpiece in Bear Run, Pa., where she held numerous managerial positions, including Archivist. Her grandchildren grew up thinking Fallingwater was Grandma's home. The family would visit her on the property, staying in a log home, with access to the grounds when visitors were not around--creating some of everyone's favorite lifetime memories.

In retirement, Joan moved to Charlottesville. For many years, she was a member of The Silver Steppers, which held performances around the community, even with bands like Big Ray and the Kool Kats. She was a member of the Bell Choirs at First Presbyterian and later Aldersgate United Methodist, both of Charlottesville. She also sang in the Sanctuary and Chancel choirs of each church, respectively. Joan continued to play the piano and sing, even in her final days.

Joan is survived by her half-sister, Nancy Green Parsley, of Oregon City, Ore.; children, Ellen Faris Bessell of Charlottesville, and Mary Beth Eubanks (Skip) of Concord, N.C.; grandchildren, Hayden Eubanks of Concord, N.C., Leandra Dunlevy (Jason) of Richmond, Va., Gabrielle Kennedy (Patrick) of Norfolk, Va., Clairee Neilson (Christopher) of Richmond, Va., and Hannah Templeton (Stephen) of Charlottesville; step-granddaughter, Melanie Balon (Allen) of Brentwood, Tenn., Ian Faris (Corinne) of Charlottesville, and Elliot Faris; and eight great-grandchildren.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, and by former husbands, Russell E. Johnston, father of Eric and Ellen; Thomas W. Faris, father of Mary Beth; and Donald L. Kunkler, beloved by the entire family. She was also preceded in death by siblings, Lois Ellen Bergert, Lowell Allen Bergert, Mary Louise Dixon, Frances M. Bergert and Carson J. Bergert. Her last, great sadness was the loss of her only son, Eric T. Faris of Charlottesville and Staunton, Va., in 2018.

A graveside memorial service, to celebrate Joan's life, will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Monticello Memory Gardens in Charlottesville with the Rev. Dr. Arum Feinberg of First Presbyterian, Charlottesville presiding. A reception will follow at the home of her granddaughter, Hannah Templeton.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, which owns and operates Fallingwater, or directly to Fallingwater through Fallingwater.org, "Tribute Giving", in Joan's honor.