Mary Ellen Harvey Kunkel, MD passed away peacefully on April 14 at the age of 94 at Marquis House in Uniontown, PA with family members at her side. She was born in St. Marys PA in a family of five children, the daughter of the late Charles P. and Mary Harvey. She was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband of 58 years, George A. Kunkel, MD. She was also preceded in death by her brothers William and James, and half-brothers Leo and Charles, Jr. Dr. Kunkel was a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Uniontown.
A trailblazer far ahead of her time, she graduated from the Pennsylvania State University and Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1952, a time when less than six percent of medical doctors were women. Dr. Kunkel completed her residency at Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh and practiced Internal Medicine at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh and Carmichaels (PA) Clinic, before many years of private practice with her partner, Dr. Charles Sloan, in Uniontown.
A skilled and compassionate physician, she helped numerous patients and was much loved and respected in a medical career that spanned more than fifty years. Dr. Kunkel was a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the American College of Physicians. She was also a member of the Fayette County Medical Society and served as president for one term.
Dr. Kunkel loved living in Fayette County, PA. She particularly enjoyed scenic drives in the Laurel Highlands of Southwestern PA. Dr. Kunkel was an avid reader and stayed keenly in touch with current events in Uniontown and beyond.
She is survived by her loving children, James Kunkel (Eva), Mary Kunkel, George Kunkel (Elisabeth, MD), Christopher Kunkel, and Gregory Kunkel, Esq. (Linda). She is also survived by five grandchildren whom she adored: Marie Kunkel, Lawrence Kunkel, George Kunkel, Emily Kunkel, and Natalie Kunkel, as well as her sister-in-law Gloria Harvey, brother-in-law William Kunkel, many nieces and nephews, and numerous friends including her caregiver Mary Milne.
The family will have a private viewing , due to the unpredictability of the pandemic. A private funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church. Entombment will follow in Sylvan Heights Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to the ANDREW D. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIES, INC, 80 Morgantown St., Uniontown. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at adferguson.com and the funeral home Facebook page.
Dear Greg, Linda, and family, so sorry for your lose especially at this scary time in our lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am here with an ear to listen or a shoulder to lean on.
Sorry Jim, Mary Beth, George and Greg. As we travel on our journey in life we know someday we would loose our parents but it isn’t easy. I have fond memories of you mother. Always nice to whomever was in her home. I have known your family for probably half of our lives. Take solace that she had a good long life with the love of her family. I just wanted to say something. Always family. John L.
Sorry Criss, I had a senior moment with my message to you guys. Deepest sympathy John L
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Heaven gained a guardian angel.
Dear Mary and family,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was such a wonderful lady. Sending prayers for all of you. Stay safe.
Love,
Joni Whalen Peck
I will always have such great memories of your mom. A smart, warm, caring woman with a great sense of humor. I remember how much she liked William F. Buckley and British Television. She made hanging out at the Kunkel’s house so easy. Prayers, hugs and my deepest sympathy to George, Mary, Jim , Greg , Chris and the entire Kunkel family.
Mark Elko
To All the Kunkel family, You have my heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your mother/grandmother. She was a very special lady. If there is anything I can do please let me know.
Sending our condolences to the Kunkel Family. Mary Ellen was a wonderful and gracious women. She was most kind to my sister, Gloria Harvey (sister-inlaw), and we so enjoyed George when you would bring your Mother back to St Marys for a visit. We will miss her sweet laughs and encouraging comments. Your Mother will always be in our hearts and minds and never forgotten.
Love to you all, Ron and Denise (Bauer) Simbeck
We send our deepest condolences to the entire Kunkel family on the passing of Mary Ellen. She was a dear life-long friend of our mother’s (Irma Catalone) and a family friend.
In sympathy,
— the Catalone family (St. Marys).
Didn’t forget you Chris. Again, with all my sympathy. You guys hang in there during this time. God bless. John L.
Greg and family, I’m sorry to hear about your mother. I have fond memories of your mother and family. She was a special person.
Jim, Mary Beth, George, Christopher and Gregory ,
Please accept my deepest sympathy during this time. I will always appreciate the friendship and hospitality of your family as we grew up together in South Union. I will pray for your family during this time. You will see her and your dad again when we get on the ‘other side’ of heaven.
Sincerely Tom Nemchik