Carole Jeanne Gunkel

Carole Jeanne Gunkel, 88, of St. Joseph Township, a retired Benton Harbor Area School Teacher, died at her home on Monday, May 23, 2022. Services celebrating her life will be held at 1 PM on Friday, May 27, at the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Township with Rev Ken Clark officiating. Burial will follow in Crystal Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends, students, and relatives from 5 PM to 8 PM on Thursday at the Fairplain Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Benton Harbor Area Schools for scholarships for elementary students or the Shriners hospital. Please share messages or memories at www.florin.net. Carole was born on January 27, 1934 in Benton Harbor. She married her husband, Robert Gunkel, on August 1, 1954 and he preceded her in death on August 1, 2012. Together they enjoyed 58 years of marriage. Carole retired in 1996 after 25 years of being a fifth grade teacher with the Benton Harbor Area School System. She taught first at Martindale School, then at Sterne Brunson School, and finally at Sorter School. Carole was proud to be a school teacher and her students affectionately called her “Mrs. G”. She and her husband traveled extensively in the US while her children were growing up and then internationally after the children had grown up. They also begin wintering in Florida with their Motor Home until they brought a home in North Fort Myers, Florida. They then become “Snow Birds” and enjoyed the many friendships with individuals they met on their travels. She also enjoyed their “Pursuit of Happiness” over the years. Carole was an avid reader and enjoyed going on Cruises. She was an intelligent and determined individual. Carole was a “super women” to her students and her family and will be missed by all of them. Her family includes her daughters, Tammy (Al) Lopez of Eau Claire, Carrie (Donnie) Weller of St. Joseph, and Darcy Gunkel of Stevensville; her 2 brothers, James A. Clark of Portage and Rev. Ken Clark of Nipomo, CA; her 2 grandchildren; her 3 great grandchildren; and her nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Ken and Lucille Clark.

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Carole Jeanne Gunkel

January 27, 1934 - May 23, 2022