 |
Kenneth E. 'Ken' Kunze Plymouth, IN QCWA # 35524 Chapter 36 |
Kenneth Eugene Kunze
Plymouth, Indiana
January 4, 1923 - December 8, 2020
Obituary for Kenneth Eugene Kunze in Plymouth, Indiana
Kenneth Eugene Kunze, 97 of Plymouth passed away Tuesday, December 8th at Saint Joseph Health Center in Plymouth. Born January 4, 1923, at Port Huron, Michigan he was the son of Herman Carl Kunze and Marguerite Lauretta Weyers Kunze. Ken graduated from Port Huron High School in January 1941 and attended Valparaiso Technical Institute. During World War II Ken joined the Merchant Marines as a radio operator aboard ship. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade in the US Maritime Service. He served on many ships from sea-going tugs to a passenger vessel. During his duty he visited 21 different countries and went through both the Suez and Panama Canals. Kenneth married Jeanne Cora Westphal in 1947 in Port Huron, MI. Jeanne passed away January 27, 1996. On June 28, 1997, he married Phyllis Dills in Plymouth who passed away April 2, 2003.Ken was a friendly happy person who enjoyed amateur radio, traveling and camping and spending time with his family. Ken and his wife got involved with the radio business in 1947 in Port Huron building an AM & FM station. Over the years they built several stations in Van Wert and Sidney, Ohio before building WTCA AM1050 in 1964 in Plymouth and adding an FM station several years later.
Kenneth is survived by his son James (Renate) Kunze and daughters Kathryn (Jim) Bottorff and Lora Ruhnow of Plymouth.Grandchildren Brian, James (Jessica) Kunze of Plymouth and Major Kenneth (Tanya) Kunze of Stafford, Virginia. Daniel (Crystal) Winkle of Plymouth, Katie (Dave) Hunsberger of Duncan South Carolina, Austin (Brooke) Bottorff and Sherina Bottorff of Plymouth. Stephanie (Dustin) Cavinder/Smith of Firestone, Co Jessica and Veronica Cavinder of Plymouth.
Great Grandchildren: Haley, Kaitlyn, Madison and David Hunsberger, Breann Feleciano, Ezra, Ivan and Emma Winkle, Sophie Kunze, Collin, Allena, Alyse and Cole Kunze. Owen Cavinder, Elijah Beers and Noah Cavinder.
Great Great Grandchildren are Addisyn, Raylee and Liam Hunsberger. Kenneth was a member of the First United Church of Christ.
A 50 plus year member of the Masons a member of Scottish Rites Lodge in South Bend and a member of the Plymouth Rotary Club for over 50 years. Private family services will be Monday, December 14, 2020, with Rev. Chuck Krieg officiating. Burial will be New Oak Hill Cemetery. In keeping with current COVID19 regulations masks will be required as well as being mindful of social distancing.
The family requests memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: Marshall County Historical Society 123 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563
Thank you to all our friends and community for your support during this difficult time.
