Grace Lou Gunkel, daughter of Henry and Nettie Henry Beach, was born Jan., 15, 1925, in Beggs, Okla. She departed this life Sunday, April 17, 2005, in St. John’s Hospital in Springfield at the age of 80.
On Sept. 24, 1940, she was united in marriage to Melvan Gunkel, and to this union two daughters and three sons were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Melvan, on Oct. 7, 1994; a brother; and a sister.
Grace is survived by three sons, William Gunkel, of Ava, Dale Gunkel, and his wife, Trudy, of Cassville, and David Gunkel, of Mansfield; two daughters, Wanda Montoya and her husband, John, of Merced, Calif., and Linda Gunkel, of Mansfield; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Arthur Beach, of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Manuel Beach, of Tulsa, Okla.; two sisters, Edith Lindley, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Thelma Bukovac, of the state of Pennsylvania; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in Oklahoma. After she and Melvan were married, they made their home in Oklahoma until moving to California in 1951. While in California, she and Melvan operated a dairy farm, and lovingly began raising their family. In August 1972 the family moved to Missouri where Grace and Melvan continued in the dairy farming business. Throughout the years, Grace was always a devoted homemaker to her family.
Grace had made her profession of belief in Christ and followed the Pentecostal faith. She had been a Sunday school teacher for several years.
In her spare time she enjoyed going to yard sales. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed all of her grandchildren.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at Denney Cemetery in Douglas County with the Rev. William Gunkel officiating. Interment was under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Mansfield.
