Betty Jean Kunkel

URBANA - Betty Jean (Horsley) Kunkel Aug. 20, 1934 to Jan. 27, 2023.

Betty was born to Shirley and Ruth Louise (Salyers) Horsley at their home on Bethel Ridge outside Jackson, Ohio. As the oldest of 9 children, Betty was often responsible for her siblings while her parents worked the farm. The younger kids always appreciated how Betty tried to make things nice for them.

Betty and her sister, Darlene (Jones), had voices that blended as beautifully as only sisters can. They played guitars and sang traditional country music. As young women they were invited to sing at Renfro Valley and were on the radio. That was considered the step before singing on the Grand Ole' Opry stage. Not long after, they both gave up promising singing careers to marry and start a family. Decades later, though, they were still singing in the Urbana Freewill Baptist Church. They made two recordings of gospel music with their brother Kenny Horsley, who was also a talented musician.

Betty was the first person in her family to graduate from high school. She worked for 35 years at Grimes Manufacturing, choosing to remain a line worker rather than progress to forelady because "she didn't want to boss anybody around." She was proud to have made some of the lights that made it to the moon on the Apollo capsule.

Betty's two children from her first marriage were happy for her when in 1978 she married her second husband, Bob (Robert) Kunkel. Betty and Bob spent many years vacationing around the US – even before retirement, including 5 trips to Alaska to visit Betty's daughter.

Betty's passing marked the thankful end of a two-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. In the beginning, all it took were the inhibitions she'd learned from a tough childhood. She became a free spirit and danced down hallways snapping her fingers. She'd burst into song whenever the urge struck. For probably the first time in her life she didn't care what anybody else thought – she just enjoyed herself. We are thankful for those happy and often hilarious moments we got to share with her. As the disease progressed, though, she lost that joy and the ravages of losing memories and life skills took its toll. We are going to miss her dearly but are grateful her days of confusion are over. We all thank the staff and residents of Urbana Place, the assisted living home where Betty spent her final two years. They sincerely loved her and took good care of her both physically and spiritually.

David and both his sons were able to spend time with Betty during her last days. Bob spent every evening with her at Urbana Place – wishing with all his heart their golden years could've been different.

Betty was preceded in death by both her parents, brother Roland, brother Roger, brother Kenny, and sister Ellen Blair. Remaining siblings are Darlene (Carl) Jones, Judy (Jim) Wayman, Ronnie (Lois) and Jerry (Sherry) Horsley.

Betty leaves behind her second husband of nearly 45 years, Robert Kunkel, her son, David (Theresa) Carter and their sons Eli and Sam of Urbana, daughter Connie Fredenberg of Palmer, AK, and stepson, Ron (Loren) Kunkel of Dublin, OH.

Betty's Alaska family includes 3 grandchildren (Grace, Othniel, and Kayuktuq Oomittuk) and 7 grandchildren (Jared, Sarah, Isaiah, Oliver, Georgia, Alisah, and Kaileigh). All but one were able to come visit her in early December. She may not have known who they all were, but she definitely knew a lot of people who obviously loved her came to see her.

Husband Bob and son David were holding Betty's hands as she took her final breath. Connie was able to say good-bye on the phone. She passed at 8:30 a.m. on Friday the 27th of January.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 in VERNON FUNERAL HOME, Urbana, Ohio.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 in the Freewill Baptist Church, 1658 E US Hwy 36, Urbana, Ohio with Pastor Kenny Cordell officiating.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com.