Peggy Dunkel, 85, of Mt. Carmel, IL passed away November 23, 2018 at Transcendent Healthcare of Owensville.
Peggy was born on August 19, 1933, the oldest child of Gerald August and Blanche (Burns) TenBarge. She graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1951. Peggy married Harry Joseph Dunkel at Camp Cook Army Base in Lompoc, CA. He preceded her in death on September 18, 2005. After proposing in February 1952 over the phone, Peggy drove across the country with a girlfriend and they married on May 30, 1952. Their wedding date happened to be on a Friday, which Catholics were not supposed to eat meat; so they settled on a tuna fish sandwich for their wedding dinner. Peggy worked as a bookkeeper for a while when Harry was still in the Army, and later she worked at Pepsi Cola from 1961-1988. Peggy faced many health issues later in life but she overcame them with her strong will to play bridge! She just recently accomplished her goal of Gold Life Master! Her other hobbies included cooking, enjoying time with family and friends, and playing bingo. She traveled all over the Tri-State area to play bridge and even bingo. You may think a woman in her 70’s and 80’s may have to slow down at some point, driving herself all over to play the game. In her case, that did not happen, she even discovered how to use the internet! Peggy loved playing bridge online with people all over the world. She referred to herself as “Grandma Bling” to her grandchildren for her love of matching accessories from head to toes, including her festive manicures which were also a topic of conversation at the bridge table. She made so many friends and she loved sharing this with her family. One of her online friends came to visit her in her final few weeks at the hospital. They had never met in person until that moment. That in itself explains the type of woman Peggy was.
She will be remembered as a fun, life-loving, and caring woman. Peggy’s proudest moments were having her children and grandchildren and they will miss her greatly. They enjoyed fifty-three years together, six children, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Peggy is survived by her sons, David and wife Karen Dunkel, Kevin Dunkel, Patrick and wife Vicki Dunkel, Terry “Ace” Dunkel all of Mt. Carmel and Richard Dunkel of Newburgh, IN; grandchildren, Jennifer and husband Kevin Adrian, Curtis and wife Paula Dunkel, Katie Dunkel, Tyler and wife Kristin Haycraft, Cami and husband Marty Tennes, Callie Dunkel, Jordan Dunkel, and Jackson Dunkel; five great –grandchildren, Adam, Harrison, Brianna, Otto, and Elyse; two brothers, Jerry and wife Sharon TenBarge of Ft. Walton Beach, Fl and Richard and wife Pat TenBarge of Holland MI.
Preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Blanche; husband, Harry; daughter, Laura Jo Dunkel; grandson, Adam Michael Dunkel.
Friends and family may call from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Friday November 30, 2018 in the Chapel of Short Funeral Home with a Rosary Service beginning at 8:45 a.m. Service will follow visitation at 11:00 a.m. with burial immediately following next to her husband at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Mary’s Catholic School; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Peggy’s family.
