Martha J. (Matthews) Kunze, 71, died at 12:55 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Funeral services begin at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Sue Bryce of the United Methodist Church of Irving officiating. Burial will be held at Irving Cemetery.
Ms. Kunze was born on June 24, 1951, in Hillsboro, to the late Jesse Earl Matthews and Mary Louise (Osborn) Matthews Bland. She married Eugene Wade Kunze on Sept. 28, 1974, in Hillsboro, and he preceded her in death in 2016.
Ms. Kunze graduated from Hillsboro High School with the Class of 1969, and went on earn a paralegal degree from Lincoln Land Community College. She worked for Memorial Hospital and South Town Nursing Home. Ms. Kunze was a member of Schram City Baptist Church, CEFS Volunteer, and helped out at the courthouse. She enjoyed making art and coloring, and she loved to cook.
Ms. Kunze is survived by her children, Zackary Kunze of Hillsboro, Eugene (wife, Marilyn) Kunze of Nevada, Roger (wife, Brenda) Kunze of Missouri, Lucy Kunze of Missouri, Deana (husband, Eddy) Lemonier of Oklahoma and David Kunze of Illinois; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and brother and sister, Perry Matthews of Schram City and Marilyn (husband, Wallace) Collins of Rochester.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, William E. Kunze.
Memorials may be directed to PAWS Care. Condolences can be left online at www.basspattondeanfh.com.
