“We'll carry on, we'll carry on.
Even though you're dead and gone, believe me, your memory will carry on.
You'll carry on, and though you're broken and defeated.
Your weary widow marches on.
Life story
Ashley Ann Kunkel, 35, passed away at 6:25 a.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at her home.
Ashley was born on Tuesday, October 20, 1987, in Herrin to Earl Anthony and Cheryl Ann (Smith) Pate II. She was the youngest daughter of four girls. Ashley married her high school sweetheart, William Paul Kunkel on October 31, 2009. They shared almost 14 years of marriage together. Their love for one another will live on forever.
Ashley was a 2006 graduate of Johnston City High School. She was the founder of the ghost hunting team, SIGHS (Southern Illinois Ghost Hunting Society) and loved every minute of it. She was also a member of the Benton Eagles. Ashley was of the Christian faith.
Ashley was a mother who loved her children and would do anything for them. She enjoyed singing karaoke, writing poetry, drawing, and spending time outdoors.
Ashley is survived by her husband, William Kunkel; children, Ares Draven Kunkel and Pandora Rose Kunkel; parents, Earl and Cheryl Pate II; three sisters, Heather (Clint Borcky) Davison, Nichole (Tom) Petrovich, and Amber (Josiah) Banks; nieces, Gabba (Christian) Davison, Emma Musso, Kaidence and Sophia Banks; nephew, Jace Pate; aunts, Billie Jo Weir, Charlene Striclin, Michelle Reed; uncles, David Smith and Jon Reed; father and mother-in-law, Paul and Lisa Kunkel; special family members, Courtney and Luna Smith, Lindsey Triplett, Andrea Casey and Monica Staley.
She is preceded in death by her aunt, Donna Jean Smith; maternal grandparents, Zackery Smith and Beulah Reed; paternal grandparents Earl Anthony Pate and Virginia Pate. She is also preceded in death by several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 29, 2023, at Pyle Funeral Home in Johnston City with Josiah and Amber Banks officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City.
Visitation was 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.
Ashley requested for those attending the service to wear what your most comfortable in and to bring a sticker to leave on her casket.
Ashley is my baby sister. I am 9 years older than her, and when she was little I affectionately called her "my darling". She used to wait for me to get home from school on the afternoons and I would pick her up and swing he around.
As sister we were close. I always felt I had a hand in raising her. Aftery divorce she moved in with me to help take care of my daughter, her niece, Gabba. I always think of Ashley has my sister and my kid.
I always did my best to take care of her, and help her when needed. I would mother her to the point of annoyance.
We would hang out together, play halo, watch movies and TV, play board games, go out drinking, and always, always, always singing.
I always felt like I was home when I was with Ashley. Noatter who you were, your color, race, orientation, Ashley never judged anyone. She always loved and accepted everyone as who they were. She was authentic and allowed others to be their true authentic selves.
Ashley loved her family more than life itself. She is so so so missed.