Port Norris Legends

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Legends of Port Norris

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Vertie D. Kunkle

September 9, 1931 - February 20, 2023

Portr Norris Historical Society

Vertie KunkleVertie Kunkle

Portr Norris Historical Society

Vertie, her grand daughter and Alvina Baum, PNHS Dinner December 2, 2012

1931 - 2023

VERTIE KUNKLE, 91, of Port Norris, NJ. Born in Rochester, NY, she lived in Vermont, Pennsylvania and Texas before graduating from Fort Knox High School in Kentucky in 1948. She received a B.S. in Biology from Bucknell University in 1952 where she was elected to Phi Sigma, the biological sciences honor society.

In 1953, she received an M.S. in Education and was elected to the education Honorary Kappa Delta Epsilon while employed as a freshman girls housemother. She married Donald Kunkle and spent a year at Don’s parents in Bloomfield, NJ, then they came to Port Norris where he was employed as a Research Assistant at the Rutgers University Oyster Lab from 1955 until his death in 1989. Vertie taught 7th and 8th grade science, health, and English for 30 years and served as a Crisis Intervention Counselor for three years. She helped found the Commercial Township Education Association, retiring in 1991.

In 2012, Vertie was selected as a Living Legend by the Port Norris Historical Society. Interests, besides her family and home, included traveling, cross-stitch handwork, gardening, and always reading. She was a life member of the National, State and County Education Associations, and a member of AAUW and many environmental organizations. After retiring she helped found the Robbinstown School Free Public Library in Port Norris.

Vertie is survived by three children: Walter Kunkle (Maureen “Reenie” Rhubart) and their sons William Rhubart (Kristen) and their sons William & Grayson, Thomas Rhubart (Christy) and their children Ryan & Chelsey; daughter Linda Nemeth (Douglas), Williamsburg, VA, and grandsons Jacob Nemeth of Savannah, GA, and Zachary Nemeth (Kaitlyn Hanley) of Sutherlin, OR, granddaughter Jennifer Dolson (Jon Mazzochi) of Vineland and great-granddaughter Amanda Rodriguez (Jordano) and great-great-grandson, Ezra, of Millville; great-granddaughter Tori Mazzochi of Landisville, NJ; son, Robert Kunkle (Deborah) of Bangor, PA, and grandson Brian Kunkle (Whitney) and great-granddaughter Abigail of Millville, grandson Douglas A. Kunkle, Sr. and great-grandchildren Douglas A. Jr., Devon and Dakota Kunkle; brother William Daggs (Kathleen) of Verona, NJ, and nephew Michael Daggs (Kelley Wilt) of Seattle, niece Melinda Miller (Michael) and their daughter, Caitlyn, of Trabuco Canyon, CA, and nephew Thomas Daggs (Sara) and their children Jack and Molly of Verona, NJ.

The viewing will be held at Hoffman Funeral Home, 2507 High Street, Port Norris, on Saturday February 25, 2023 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with Rev. Karen Bernhardt and Rev. Steve Sheppard officiating. Burial will be Monday in Lewisburg, PA, alongside her husband and his parents.

Memorial donations can be sent to Port Norris Fire Company, PO Box 115, Port Norris, NJ 08349 or the Port Norris Historical Society, PO Box 187, Port Norris, NJ 08349. To email condolences and or tributes please visit www.hoffmanfuneralhomes.net.