Alfred Kunkel

Alfred Kunkel, 84, of Burton, TX, died Aug. 3, 2003, at Trinity Medical Center in Brenham. Alfred was born Jan. 1, 1919, in Burton, to Fritz and Freida Kochwelp Kunkel. He was baptized Aug. 17, 1919, in Zion Lutheran Church in Zionsville and was confirmed in the same church. Alfred attended Hohenwalde School. Alfred lived in or near Burton all his life, leaving only to proudly serve his country during World War II from July 1941 until September 1945. Upon his return, he worked for Jacobs Egg Co. On Nov. 28, 1948, he married Adell Fischer in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rehburg. In 1952, he and Adell purchased what became known as Kunkel s Store. One of his favorite pastimes as a young man was playing baseball with the Burton Tigers. He was inducted into the South Central Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974 and was the last surviving member of the Burton Tigers. Alfred enjoyed fishing at the Brazos River and hunting. He was never at a loss for words, having many familiar sayings and phrases that the family fondly remembers. Alfred never met a stranger. After 39 years in business, he and Adell retired in 1991. He enjoyed sitting in the front yard, and waving at everyone who passed by. His greatest enjoyment came from watching his grandchildren grow up and he looked forward to watching them participate in their many activities and sports. Alfred was never a complainer, even after he became disabled by a stroke in 1999. Although he was confined to a wheelchair, he remained occupied and active with chores at his home. He enjoyed Sunday afternoon rides with Adell around the countryside. Alfred was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg and was a member of the church council. He was involved with the Washington County Fair and was a member of the lamb committee for many years. He was also an active member of the Burton American Legion, where he served as an officer for many years, until his stroke made that no longer possible. Alfred will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Adell Kunkel of Burton; sons and daughters-in-law, Al Duane and Donna Kunkel and Mark and Ronda Kunkel, all of Burton; daughters and sons-in-law, Gail and Danny Rudloff of Cypress and Patricia and Scott Blezinger of Industry; and grandchildren, Jeffrey, Garrett, Sierra and Spencer Kunkel of Burton, Lindsey and Tyler Rudloff of Cypress and Nicole and Ross Blezinger of Industry. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6 in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rehburg with Pastor Larry Henrichs officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5 in Foehner Funeral Home in Burton. A devotion will begin at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. Pallbearers will be Ricky Fischer, Ronnie Mayer, Eugene Seeker, Wilbert Meier, Jerry Kunkel and Kirby Lehrmann. Alfred s grandchildren and members of Burton American Legion Post 242 will be considered honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rehburg. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Foehner Funeral Home in Burton, Texas.