Vivian Eshelman Kunkel

Vivian “Diddy” Eshelman Kunkel, 90, of Lancaster, died Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Moravian Manor Nursing Home Health Center. Born in Lancaster on October 23, 1921, she was the daughter of the late John J. and Vivian Castle Eshelman, and had been married to A. King Kunkel, Jr. for 42 years until his death in 1987. Diddy graduated from Manheim Township High School in 1938 and enjoyed getting together with her classmates to plan and celebrate many reunions. She was a 1942 graduate of Connecticut College. After college, Diddy worked in accounting at the corporate headquarters of the former Armstrong Cork Company for several years. She also worked for the United Way during the fall campaigns in the late 1960s, and for the Mental Health America of Lancaster County as Executive Director for eleven years from 1972 to 1983. A devoted community volunteer, Diddy was a past president of the Junior League of Lancaster, former board member of the Community Action Program, a Manheim Township School Board Director, and member of the League of Women Voters of Lancaster County. Her name was added to the Anna Estes Strawbridge Honor Roll of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania in 1995 for her outstanding community service and she received a Red Rose from the Lancaster New Era on January 11, 2000 for organizing League of Women Voter candidate forums for Lancaster County voters before primaries and general elections. She was a longtime member, Consistory member, and Sunday School teacher at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. Diddy was a founding board member of Mental Health America of Lancaster County and, while Executive Director, was instrumental in the launching of a number of mental health programs sponsored by the association. She served as a volunteer for decades with the Lancaster Alpha Club and Arch Street Center for mental health clients. As Mental Health America of Lancaster County celebrated 45 years of service, Diddy was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. She is survived by three children and their families: Arthur K. Kunkel, III, and his wife, Carol (Connor) of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and their sons, John Paul Kunkel of Los Angeles, California, and Randall C. Kunkel (and wife Erica Lowe) of Louisville, Kentucky; Vivian E. (Kunkel) Wolfe and her husband, Jeffrey J. Wolfe of Lancaster, and their sons, Jeffrey R. Wolfe of Pottstown and Brian K. Wolfe of Lancaster; and George D. Kunkel, and his wife, Kathryn (Byers) of Lancaster, and their daughter, Lindsey Kunkel of Philadelphia. Diddy is also survived by a sister, Mary Ann Kline of Lancaster, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by three siblings, Virginia P. “Gingy” Cunningham, Catharine E. “Mimi” Good, and John W. Eshelman, and a grandson, Arthur K. Kunkel, IV. A memorial service will be held at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 816 Buchanan Avenue, Lancaster, on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Bonnie Hollinger and Rev. Robert W. Muise officiating. The family will receive friends and family at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A private internment at Conestoga Memorial Park will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Mental Health America of Lancaster County, 630 Janet Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601; League of Women Voters of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 1261, Lancaster, PA 17608, or St. Peter’s UCC Endowment Fund.

Vivian Eshelman Kunkel

May 11, 2012