- Date Of Birth: January 15, 1961
- Date Of Death: December 11, 2018
- State: Indiana
Karen Sue Gunkel, 57, of Wolcottville, passed away on December 11, 2018, at her home.
Born in Warner Robins, GA, on January 15, 1961, to Ralph and Joan (Galt) Jones. She was a descendant of the Campbell of the Argyll and MacDonald clans of the UK. She spent her formative years in Fort Wayne, graduating from South Side High School. As an avid learner, she attended college twice, graduating with an Associate’s degree in computer programming from Ivy Tech and a Bachelor’s degree in education including a Spanish endorsement from IPFW.
After graduation, she worked as a teacher at Fort Wayne Community School and Central Noble until her retirement in 2013.
Karen loved to cook and garden. Year after year, she would design her garden using a color-coded system to plot out the plants. Many times her garden included herbs as well. She loved to share her love of cooking and gardening with everyone, especially her kids. It’s this love she was able to use to help save her eldest daughter’s life.
She also loved to dance and read. When her children were young, she would tell them they could either go to bed or spend 20 minutes reading. Which one do you think the kids chose?! You’re absolutely right! They read and have become avid readers because of her.
Karen was very active in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for more than 30 years. She won multiple awards during her 30 years plus including but not limited to the Girl of Limberlost, Apprentice Trainer Pin and Outstanding Leader Award. In addition to Scouts, for many years, she helped with the Huntertown Volunteer Fire Department.
She enjoyed bowling and traveling. The location or the destination mattered none to her. She enjoyed road trips and flying, camping without electricity and 5-star luxury hotels alike.
Karen is survived by her three daughters, Kelly Shea Gunkel, Caitlin Gunkel and Mackenzie Gunkel; her son, Derek (Susanna) Gunkel; her mother, Joan (Galt) Jones; her sister, Susan Brandt; four brothers, Scott Jones, Steve (Amy) Jones, Patrick Jones and Preston Jones.
She is preceded in death by her father, Ralph J. Jones.
