Minta Belle Cessna Dunkel

1933 - 2025

Minta Belle Cessna Dunkel, 91, of Punxsutawney, died Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Minta passed away peacefully at home with all of her children and many of her grandchildren at her side.
Minta was born on Sept. 6, 1933, in Gypsy, the daughter of Lloyd Erving Cessna and Elma Mae Bennett.
On March 5, 1955, she married Malcolm B. Dunkel, Jr., who preceded her in death on Feb. 9, 2024. The couple was married in San Francisco, California.
After her marriage, Minta traveled bravely by herself on a U.S. Air Force carrier to meet Bud in Guam, where Bud was stationed for his service in the U.S. Air Force. The young couple started their family while they were living in Guam.
In 1957, Minta, her husband and their son arrived back in Punxsutawney to take over Bud's family business, Dunkel Roofing Company.
Minta was employed by the Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator in Punxsutawney before her marriage. After returning to Punxsutawney with her family to take over Dunkel Roofing Company, she served as bookkeeper and office manager for the business.
Minta volunteered for several committees and boards around Punxsutawney during her lifetime. She particularly enjoyed volunteering at the snack bar at the Punxsutawney Area Hospital. Minta also enjoyed donating her time to the First English Lutheran Church, where she and Bud were lifetime members.
Minta loved to play bridge and belonged to several bridge clubs in Punxsutawney. She enjoyed teaching the skill of bridge to others.
Minta is survived by her four children and their spouses, Douglas B. Dunkel and wife Melissa, Kevin L. Dunkel and wife Terri, Kathy L. Fairman and husband Richard, and Thomas A. Dunkel and wife Kimberly, all of Punxsutawney; 11 grandchildren, Dina and Ben Crana of Brookville, Mary and Justin Travis of Pittsburgh, Chelsey Dunkel of New York City, New York, David and Alicia Dunkel of Punxsutawney, Amy and Reggie Weaver of Punxsutawney, Amanda and Travis Stom of Pittsburgh, Max and Sami Fairman of Punxsutawney, Emily and Eli McDivitt of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Katelyn and Bob Wingert of Pittsburgh, Cooper Fairman of Punxsutawney, and Caroline Dunkel and Spencer Levy of Lakewood Ranch, Florida; and 16 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Dunkel Miller of Woodstock, New York.
In addition to her parents, Minta was preceded in death by her brothers, Howard Lloyd Cessna, James C. Cessna, and Lewis C. Cessna, and her sister, Mona Cessna Kennedy.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2025, at the First English Lutheran Church of Punxsutawney, with Rev. Timothy Spence officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in memory of Minta, to the First English Lutheran Church of Punxsutawney, or the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center.