George W. Kunce

GEORGE W. KUNCE, 89
“Well done good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21
George W. Kunce, 89, died Tuesday morning, October 17
at St Mary’s Alzheimer’s Center.
George was born May 17, 1928, in Struthers at his childhood home on Clingan Road, a son of George Joseph Kunce and Katherine Babich Kunce. His father immigrated from Austria and his mother from Zacreb Yugoslavia with George’s grandparents Gabro and Francis Babich.
George was proud of his Croatian/Austrian heritage; enjoying its rich cultural traditions such as Croatian and Bavarian food, Tamberiza and Polka. George was an accomplished accordion player. In his earlier years, he was a member of a Cleveland- Polka band which was well known in the greater Youngstown area.
A graduate of Struthers High School and trained in carpentry at a local vocational school, he worked in construction as foreman at many major building projects in Youngstown and Pittsburgh, including the Southern Park Mall, and the New Middletown Free Methodist Church. He spent 2 years in Riyadh Saudi Arabia overseeing the entire construction of a mall for a Saudi Prince. George custom built two family homes, one in New Middletown and his New Springfield home situated on 6 acres of land. Skilled in fine craftsmanship, George designed and hand crafted most of the furniture and woodwork in his home and other locations.
George was a Christian leader in the church, using his gifts in teaching and administration. Deeply committed to helping young and old grow in their faith in God and knowledge of Scripture, George developed a highly successful Christian Education Program for the FM. church. He provided leadership for other FM churches throughout the state of Ohio. In his later years, George was a Bible teacher and worshipped with his friends at Bethel Friends Church in Poland.
George had many interests including reading, cultivating fruit and nut trees, caring for his acreage which he called “Harmon Hollow”, carpentry, music, fishing, Ohio State Buckeyes (go Bucks!), cars and especially his Ford 150 pickup truck! An avid reader, he was well-versed on many subjects. George of Harmon Hollow was known and loved by everyone he met as playful, loving, caring, and wise.
Above all, George cared most about growing in his faith in Jesus Christ, being a loving husband to his wife Pauline, and being a good father for his four children. And that he was! Toward the end of his life, he often said, “As I look back over my life, the thing I am aware of most is how much God and my children love me.”
Psalm 116:7, “Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”
George leaves his wife Pauline, one son, Dennis Kunce (Cindy) of Poland, Cynthia L Kunce of Boardman, Reverend Dianna Lynn Kunce of Seattle, and Victoria Ann (Mark) Havens of La Habra, Calif; and six grandchildren, David P, Ashleigh M, Jaclyn R. Sisk, Kelsey, Abbey, and Natalie Kunce.
Besides his parents, George was preceded in death by his brother Joseph, and sister’s Caroline and Francis.
Friends will be received at Davis-Becker Funeral Home at 8536 Market Street in Boardman on Monday, October 23 at 4:00 p.m. The Funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Bobby Murphy officiating. Interment will take place on Wednesday, October 25 at 9:00 a.m. at Petersburg Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Windsor House at St. Mary’s Alzheimer’s Center, 1899 West Garfield Road, Columbiana, OH 44408 or Renewal Ministries Northwest, P.O. Box 12243, Mill Creek, WA 98082.
Visit www.beckerrobits.com to send condolences.