Mary Ellen Hunkler

 Mary Ellen Hunkler (77) was born in Glendale Ohio to Theodore (Pete) and Mary Hunkler on March 3, 1947. She grew up the 3rd oldest of 7 on the family dairy farm in Liberty Township and was in the second graduating class from Lakota High School.

Mary Ellen passed away, just as she grew up, surrounded by family at University Hospital on June 9, 2024 after a sudden decline in her health. 

She is survived by her older brother Tom and younger siblings Judy (Jim), Ron (Wyvona), and Larry and her sister in law Darlene. While Mary Ellen had no children of her own, she is survived by 9 nieces and nephews and 9 great nieces and nephews. Also, many cousins, extended family, and friends. She is preceded in death by her brothers John & Ted, and sisters-in-law Pat Hunkler and Patty Hunkler.

Mary Ellen grew up in West Chester and lived in the area her entire life. Following in the family tradition of community service, she became a paramedic shortly after graduating high school and served for 5 years before taking a job at Avon in Springdale, where an unfortunate work injury ended her full-time working career.

Mary Ellen liked camping, shopping, watching Reds’ baseball, and to spoil her dog Jackie with treats of chicken nuggets. 

A celebration of life picnic will be held on Sunday, June 23rd at 3:00 pm at Keehner Park Picnic area located at 7211 Barret Rd. in West Chester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Ellen’s memory to the Evan Huxsoll Memorial Scholarship Fund (https://hcfoh.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3937) This scholarship is to support graduating seniors from Butler Tech’s Firefighting Program who plan to continue to pursue a Paramedics License at an accredited institution, or to The America Heart Association’s “Go Red For Women” initiative. https://www.goredforwomen.org/ which spread awareness of and provides support to women and their unique needs for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.