Robert Louis “Jay Bird” Kunkle, Sr., 83, of Newberry, died Wednesday, November 2, 2011, at his residence.
Born on January 17, 1928, in Prosperity, he was a son of the late Q. Epting and Ellen Hawkins Kunkle. Mr. Kunkle during his working career worked for Pepsi, Tom’s Distributor, Newberry County, Hawkins Hardware and the Mid Carolina Country Club Pro Shop. He was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, a charter member of the Mid Carolina Country Club and Woodmen of the World.
He is survived by his wife, Nelva Kleckley Kunkle; sons, Robert Louis “Bobby” (Jill) Kunkle, Jr. of Lexington, Keith (Maxine) Nelson of Newberry and Michael Nelson of Cayce; daughters, Lana Kunkle (Wayne) Bannister of Prosperity and Donna (Mark) Lever of Pomaria; sisters, Doris Hipp of Newberry and Ruby Dawkins of Saluda; grandchildren, Robert “Robby” (Tiffany) Bannister of Greenville, Brittany Nelson of Lexington, Lindsey Lever and Whitney Lever both of Pomaria and Ainsley Kunkle of Lexington; great-grandchildren, Brycen Bannister and Landon Bannister both of Greenville and Triston Nelson of Lexington. Mr. Kunkle was predeceased by his first wife, Ruby Smith Kunkle, his step-mother, Erin Kunkle; a sister, Evelyn Lake and brothers, Voight Kunkle and Elmer Kunkle.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 5, 2011, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church by the Rev. Jason Schafer and Rev. Wako Cotney. Burial will follow in Rosemont Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of Tri-County, 13795 C.R. Koon Highway, Newberry, SC 29108 or to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall Fund, 4056 St. Luke’s Church Road, Prosperity, SC 29127.
Active pallbearers: Kenneth Lake, Donald Kunkle, Glenn Kunkle, Leslie Hipp, Joe Kunkle, Gordon Dawkins, Kim Dawkins, Douglas Dawkins, Keith Kunkle and Russell Kunkle
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