WILDA JEAN LAVENDER KUHNKE

Johnston City-Wilda Jean Lavender Kuhnke, 87 passed away peacefully early Saturday May 21, 2011 in Springfield Illinois. She was born November 8, 1923 in Hurst to Robert Andrew (Stokes) Lavender and Ida Mae Ellis Lavender. She married William Kuhnke, Jr. on May 22, 1943.

Surviving are her sons David Bruce (Fritz)(wife Michelle) Kuhnke of Tampa, FL, Keith (wife Carolyn) of Springfield, IL, Mark (wife Janet) of Springfield, IL, and Kurt (wife Lisa) of Leawood, KS; daughter-in-law Joanne DeTomasi Kuhnke of Herrin, IL; sister Christina Vie (Teenie) Kinsman of DuQuoin, IL; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and one son, Captain William Andrew Kuhnke.

Wilda was a member of the First United Methodist of Johnston City, where she was a Sunday school teacher of children and adults for more than 30 years. She was the first woman elected to the Johnston City School Board, eventually serving as President. She served as President of the Illinois Association of School Boards, and served on the Illinois Library Board for many years. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, and volunteered for many organizations including the American Cancer Society. She was a long serving precinct committee person for the Republican party of Williamson County, and in 1976 ran for Williamson County Circuit Clerk.

Wilda was an avid golfer and an active participant of the Franklin County Country Club Women's Golf Association and Southern Illinois Women's Golf Association. She loved animals of all types, and was partial to roses in her garden. She loved to play cards, especially poker, bridge, and pinochle, and was a great fan of thoroughbred racing, attending a family Derby Day event in full regalia just two weeks before her demise.

Services are to be held at the Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City at 11:00 am Wednesday May 25, 2011 with Pastor Ted A. Hartley officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 am to 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. She will be interred at Johnston City Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Johnston city and/or the National Kidney Foundation.