Sharon Lee Kunkel

Sharon Lee Weisenburger Kunkel, 82, of Peru (formerly of Granville) passed away on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in Peru.   

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 3, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Granville.  Fr. Patrick DeMeulemeester will officiate.  Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Granville.

Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2022 at Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville. Prayers will be at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

Sharon is survived by her husband Chris and 4 sons, Mark (Jenny) Kunkel of Belvidere, Kurt (Rita) Kunkel of Lemont, Kent (Beth) Kunkel of Peru, and Scot Kunkel of DeKalb, seven grandchildren--Courtney Nave, Lauren Uhlenhopp, Thomas Kunkel, Grace Kunkel, Jack Kunkel, Bridget Kunkel, Alec Kunkel and two great granddaughters, Alexis Nave and Joanna Uhlenhopp.  She was preceded in death by parents, Henry Weisenburger and Viola Pell and step-father Chester Pell.              

Born in Spring Valley, IL on October 28, 1939, Sharon was the only child to Henry Weisenburger and Viola (Mathey) Weisenburger.  Sharon attended Spring Valley Public Schools, Illinois Valley Community College as well as Silver Cross School of Nursing in Joliet, IL. 

She married Christopher Kunkel at Sacred Heart Church in Granville on September 12, 1959.  Her nursing career took her to offices of Dr. Won Kim, Dr. Goodwin Toraason, Dr. Rosemary Valencia, and St. Margaret's Hospital--mostly as a member of the Pediatric nursing staff.  She was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Granville as well as its Altar and Rosary Society.
          

Sharon was the first coordinator/director of the Living Center at St. Margaret's Health in Spring Valley.  In 1995 she developed, initiated, and became the first Director of the Sexual Assault Crisis Center at Freedom House in Princeton, IL, which served and continues to serve five counties, Bureau, Marshall, Putnam, Henry, and Stark. This program became associated with and funded by ICASA (Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault).  Sharon later served in pastoral ministry at St. Margaret's Health until she retired.   

In 1985 Sharon received her American Red Cross Nurse's badge and volunteered for the American Red Cross at the Illinois Valley Chapter in Peru, IL.  There she helped with local blood drives, taught disaster classes, and was deployed eight times in various parts of the USA--from New York to California--as Emotional Support Counselor for victims in National Disasters--the most notable being 9-11 in New York City.  She served on the Board of Directors for American Red Cross, eight years on St. Margaret's Health Board of Directors.  She led a grief support group at St. Margaret's Health and in addition to Red Cross and St. Margaret’s, Sharon was a volunteer for PADS and IV Alzheimer’s group.  

Sharon and her husband, Chris were avid travelers and had enjoyed travel to many parts of six continents.   They were both associate members of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation of Fargo ND.  Sharon's favorite pastimes were grandchildren, traveling, scrap booking, crocheting, Bridge and Euchre card playing with friends, and volunteering.           

Memorials may be directed to the IV Alzheimer’s Group or the American Heart Society.

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

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