Blanche E. Dunkel

Blanche E. Dunkel, 84, formerly of 1018 S. 12th Street passed away at 3:40 pm Monday, January 1, 2007 at Hallmark House Nursing Center. Blanche was born February 5, 1922 in Tazewell County to Emil and May H. Albee Zaayenga. She married Melvin R. Dunkel on August 2, 1946 in Pekin. Melvin passed away on June 13, 2006. Also preceding in death are two brothers Howard and Merle Zaayenga and three sisters Alice Gill, Lois DeFrates and Betty Myers. Surviving are; two daughters, Judy (and Tom) Shields of Lexington, IL and Carol (and Roger) Freidinger of Lansdale, PA; four grandchildren, Michael (and Shawna) of Moline, IL, Mackenzie (and Eric) of Iowa City, IA, Katy (Justin) Wellen of Plymouth Meeting, PA and Elizabeth Freidinger of San Francisco, CA; and one great grandchild Hunter Shields of Moline, IL. Blanche worked at Hiram Walker for 23 years retiring in 1978. She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ and JOY Circle.