Melissa Kunkel

KUNKELMelissa Ann (nee Aardema), passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 5, 2013 at the age of 41. She was born May 1, 1971 to Robert and Janne Aardema in Lansing, Michigan and was the oldest of three girls. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1989 and still holds the school record in Shot Put. She then attended Hillsdale College where she went to nationals for Shot Put several times and graduated with her degree in Early Childhood Education. She married Thomas Kunkel on November 26, 1994. Melissa was a loving and helpful person to everyone. She enjoyed helping out at the Catholic Church and volunteered on many committees. We miss you already, Melissa.She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Aardema on February 4, 2000, her grandfather, Martin Aardema, and one son, Robert Joseph Kunkel.She was the beloved wife of Thomas E. Kunkel; devoted mother of Timothy, Emma, Elizabeth, Jacob, Gabriel, Raphael, Monica, Patrick, Anna, Martin, Amelia, and Olivia Kunkel; dear daughter of Janne Ahlgrim; loving sister of Jessica (Justin) Ackley and Amy Lord; cherished daughter-in-law of Joseph and Mary Ruth Kunkel; she is also survived by several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends. A visitation will take place at Vorhis & Ryan Funeral Home, 11365 Springfield Pike, Springdale from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday, April 9, 2013. A visitation will also take place at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2300 Robertson Avenue, Norwood from 9:30 AM until the time of Requiem Mass at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, April 10, 2013. Interment will follow at Mother of God Cemetery in Latonia, KY. Memorials may be made to the Tom Kunkel Fund at any Bank of Kentucky branch, or they may be sent to Angela Kunkel, 12199 McCoys Fork Road, Walton, KY 41094.