Christopher "Chris" V. Kunkel

Chris Kunkel, 90, of Peru (formerly of Granville) passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Peru.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church 311 Hennepin St. Granville, IL.  Mass of Christian Burial to follow.  Fr. Patrick DeMeulemeester will officiate.  Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Granville.  Military honors will be conducted.

Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel 208 S McCoy St. Granville, IL will be assisting the family with the arrangements.

Chris was the 8th son of August and Teresa Kunkel.  He was a graduate of St. Bede Academy and the University of Illinois, and a veteran of the US army, serving in Alaska.  He married Sharon (Weisenburger) in 1959, and they lived and raised their four sons in Granville, IL. 

He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish and its Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus.  Chris was also a member of the National Holstein Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, and the Dairy Shrine.  He was a charter member of Granville Rotary.

He and his brother Eugene farmed in the area and raised registered Holstein cattle.  They showed cattle for many years at county, state and national dairy shows.  Chris was a member of the Putnam County Board of directors for 16 years and a volunteer for the Red Cross disaster team, St. Margaret’s Red Coats, and an associate member of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation.

Chris is survived by his four sons, Mark (Jennifer) Kunkel of Belvidere, Kurt (Rita) Kunkel of Lemont, Kent (Beth) Kunkel of Peru and Scot Kunkel of DeKalb; seven grandchildren, Courtney, Lauren, Thomas, Grace, Jack, Bridget, and Alec; four great grandchildren, Alexis, Joanna, Louie, and Kennedy;  two brothers and one sister, Lawrence (Mick) Kunkel, Eugene Kunkel and Sr. Teresa Kunkel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Teresa Kunkel; his wife, Sharon Kunkel in 2022 and five brothers, Aloysius, August, Richard, Joseph and Ken Kunkel.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Bede Academy or the American Red Cross.

Online condolences may be made to his family at www.dcfunerals.com

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