Marsha Fulgham Mechley Kunkel, 1942-2020

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Marsha Fulgham Mechley Kunkel, 77 of Harrison, Ohio passed away on May 15, 2020, surrounded by family. She was born at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital to the late Ethyl Cora Butler and Marshall Neal Fulgham on July 6, 1942.

Marsha grew up in Mineola. She met and married Victor Mechley in Dallas. After the birth of their first child, they moved to Cincinnati where they had three more children, including a son, Paul, who died at birth. Marsha enjoyed the years they lived in Cincinnati, Dillsboro, Ind. and Long Island, N.Y. She later met Steve Kunkel and they married at Liberty Baptist Church in Norwood, Ohio. They later attended Harrison Avenue Baptist Church. Marsha has many lasting friendships with members of both churches. Marsha served many churches as the pianist, beginning as a teen in Mineola, through age 70 when she retired from Harrison Avenue Baptist Church.

Marsha had multiple battles with cancer. She was proud to be a 6-year breast cancer survivor and found an enduring peace when she was diagnosed with lung cancer, saying, “If the Lord gives me more time with my family and friends, I win, and when He takes me home, I really win.”

Marsha was preceded in death by her loving mother, Ethyl Ashley, and her loving step father, Tom Ashley.

Marsha is survived by her husband, Steve Kunkel, and their children, Cassie Blankenhorn (Tim) of Lawrenceburg, Ind., Penny Mechley-Porter (Steve) of Erie, Penn., Rachel Hopkins (Dave) of West Harrison, Ind., Paul Kunkel (Sue) of Aurora, Ind., Karen Garrison (Brad) of Colerain Township, Ohio; their grandchildren, Sam (Haley), Emily, Jack, Eliza, Frank, Florence, Abi, Allyson, Arynn, Adam, AJ, Anna, Adelynn, Sarah, Julia, Katherine, Benjamin and Josiah; and one great-granddaughter, Lily. Marsha is also survived by her siblings, Bill Fulgham (Sandra) of Mineola and Judy Bechtold (Ken) of Woodland, Cal.; her BFF, Camilla Knight; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the funeral was private for immediate family on Wednesday May 20, 2020. Burial followed at Gibson Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are handled by the Brater-Winter Funeral Home.

Please make memorial donations to Marsha’s great niece’s Go Fund Me (search “GoFundMe Samantha’s Cancer Story”) or Queen City Hospice at www.QueenCityHospice.com/donate.