MILFORD, Del. — Kenneth Kunkel, 83, of Milford, Del., formerly of Granville, died Monday, May 22, 2017, at his residence.

Kenneth was born June 20, 1933, in Granville to August and Teresa (Blume) Kunkel.

He graduated from St. Bede Academy in Peru in 1950 and St. Bede Jr. College in 1952. Kenneth earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., and completed his theological studies at St. Bede. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Bede in 1959. He served as an assistant pastor in Peru and also in Ottawa. Because he changed his mind regarding mandatory celibacy for priest, he left its active ministry in 1970, and was employed by the city of Chicago as an employment counselor. In 1974 he was hired by the Department of Veterans Affairs in Hines as a training officer, and was transferred to Washington, D.C., in 1981. He was the national manager for the Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Employment Program. He retired in 1998.

Kenneth was a member of St. John the Apostle Church in Milford, Del. He was a volunteer for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Survivors include one sister, Sister Teresa Kunkel, O.S.F; six brothers, Aloysius (Rita) Kunkel of Lostant, Richard (Mary) Kunkel of Wyanet, Lawrence Kunkel of Princeton, Joseph Kunkel of Tiskilwa, Eugene (Joan) Kunkel of Granville and Christopher (Sharon) Kunkel of Mark; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Astrid van Wees of Milford, Del.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, August Kunkel; and two sisters-in-law, Ann Kunkel and Louise Kunkel.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 26, at the Dysart-Cofoid Funeral Chapel in Granville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Granville with Father Patrick DeMeulemeester officiating. Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Hennepin.

Contributions may be directed to EWTN at 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210, or the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be made to his family at www.dcfunerals.com.