Marlene Kunkler

Marlene Hilda Kunkler, 89, passed away on July 4, 2026.

She was born in Ferdinand, Indiana on April 18, 1937, daughter of Leo and Josephine (Loew) Jasper.

Marlene was a 1955 graduate of St. Ferdinand High School and went on to earn her bachelor's degree in education from Marian College in 1959. She married Jerome Peter “Pete” Kunkler on June 17, 1961, at St. Ferdinand Church. They raised their large family on Christian values, hard work and faith for 61 years before Pete’s passing in 2023.

Marlene began her teaching career at St. Paul’s Elementary School and was a GED counselor at Lincoln Hills Development for nearly 18 years. She retired in 2002 as a dietary aide from Oakwood Health Campus.

A devout Catholic, Marlene was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church where she was church sacristan for many years, church lector, Eucharistic Minister, served on the parish council and was a CCD teacher for religion classes. She volunteered at Council of Agencies, Visiting Nurses, Little Shubael Pioneer Village and Catholic Charities.

Her memberships included Perry County Extension Homemakers, St. Mark Homemakers and St. Mark Altar Society.

When she took time for herself, Marlene enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, counted cross-stitch, quilting and embroidery.

Surviving are her children, Jenny Kunkler (Mike Edwards), David (Donna) Kunkler, Chris (Stacey) Kunkler, Dan (Donna) Kunkler, Tina Kunkler-Laake (Greg), Bill (Julia) Kunkler, Tony (Cindy) Kunkler and Jerene (Tripp) Gilliam; sisters, Bertie Lehman and Phyllis Perkins; brothers, Henry Jasper, Kenneth Jasper, Albert Jasper and Bob Jasper; several grandchildren and great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Jerome “Pete” Kunkler; siblings, Anna Lee Haug, Mary Jo Thomas, Margaret Jasper, Edward Jasper, John Jasper, Teresa Jasper and Rita Kunkler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM CDT on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at St. Mark Catholic Church. Father Dennis Duvelius and Father Tony Hollowell will officiate with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3:00-7:00 PM with the Rosary being led at 6:45PM and Thursday from 8:30-9:20 AM at Huber Funeral Home, Tell City Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark Catholic Church.

Condolences may be left for Marlene’s family at www.huberfuneralhome.net