Wilhelmina Muller Unkefer

Feb 21, 1925 – Oct 11, 2021 96 years of age

"Willie" Unkefer, as everyone knows her, was born in 1925, the tenth and final child of Lee and Lottie Muller of Blythewood, SC. She told of a wonderful childhood and hard work growing up on the family farm. Redland Farms was a dairy, raised chickens, and delivered to its customers in Columbia, SC. Wilhelmina received her degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, following in the footsteps of her six sisters. It was at the university that she met the love of her life, Earl C. Unkefer of Lake Worth, FL who was sent there by the Navy for training before his service in the Pacific during WWII. They married in 1945, and were together for 70 years. Willie and Earl moved to Winter Park in 1956, where she was active in St. John Lutheran Church and in civic affairs, notably helping in the drive to build the Winter Park pool on Cady Way. In addition, she was a Cub Scout leader and supported the Girl Scouts as well. They had three children, Mary Lou, John and Martin, and she was a great mom.

She started working as an elementary school teacher when Martin started school in 1965, and it was as an elementary teacher that Wilhelmina found her true calling. She taught at several different schools, ending at Ivey Lane Elementary working under Dr. Kathleen "Kat" Gordon. Willie and Kat were both certain that guidance counselors were needed by young children and their parents, and they lobbied for and convinced Orange County Schools to create a division of elementary guidance counselors. Wilhelmina studied at Rollins College, received her Master's degree in early childhood development and was one of the first elementary guidance counselors hired by Orange County Schools. She loved children, and she loved her work helping young parents and their children. Her career spanned thirty years.

Wilhelmina was preceded in death by her husband Earl, and her daughter Mary Lou Winters. She is survived by her sons John (Beth) and Martin (Brenda), and by her granddaughter Michel Winters and great-grandson Kyle Winters. Interment will be at Palm Cemetery in Winter Park.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 15th at 10:00am at Palm Cemetery in Winter Park.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Allen Summerhill Funeral Home in Deland, FL.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Orlando Sentinel from Oct. 12 to Oct. 13, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Wilhelmina Unkefer

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5 Entries

Nancy Hunt

October 14, 2021

I stumbled upon this notice while searching for a loss of another loved one. My thoughts and prayers go out in sympathy to everyone who knew her. I grew up in the neighborhood, was welcomed into the home and sometimes played on the piano with John as a child. Her life bore witness to one of truly loving, caring and giving, and an example of a life well lived.

Sieglinde,Bob and Charlotte

Sent Flowers

Hamlin O'Kelley

October 13, 2021

Dear Cousins:
Just thought a member of the 2nd Cousins Generation should let you all know that every Christmas Eve I put out the wonderful stocking that Aunt Willie had that lady in Florida make for each of us as we came along from the late 1960s to early 1980s. What a wonderful gift. All the children are home....

Jim Kempson

October 12, 2021

John/Martin
We all LOVED Aunt Willie! Mother said "She fell in love with that good-looking man, went to Florida, & never came back". I think Mother was saying "Go Girl-you do it!" Willie wrote Mother wonderful notes & letters. She hosted my children in Winter Park-fun times.
I would be there Friday if I possibly could-but cannot.
Cherish your memories-you were blessed with wonderful parents.
Hope to see y'all sometime soon.
God Bless.
Cousin Jim

Arthur O´Kelley

October 12, 2021

My grandmother, Emma, was one of your mother´s older sisters. I hadn´t seen Aunt Willie since Uncle Buie, Lee´s, funeral. Living in SC, my brothers and I saw my grandmother and all her siblings, often, and they always talked about your mother and father with fondness remembering their childhood. Peace to all of you and Godspeed to Aunt Willie. Arthur O´Kelley. One of Yancey´s sons.

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