Jonel Yunker, 71

Jonel Jones Yunker, 71, of Cincinnati, passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at Hospice of Cincinnati Margret J. Thomas Inpatient Care Center.
Jonel, daughter of the late Walter and Loma Jones, was born in Constantine, on Oct. 2, 1945. She was the youngest of four children.
Jonel called Three Rivers, home. She graduated from Three Rivers High School and Western Michigan State University, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority.

In 1976, Jonel moved to Maysville, after serving as a missionary for three years in Kenya. She taught French and Spanish at Mason County High School in Maysville and later at North Adams High School in Adams County, Ohio. In 1996, Jonel moved to Cincinnati, where she taught at Indian Hill High School and Deer Park High School.
Jonel had a profound passion for education. She had remarkable goals for her own education and devoted much of her time as a teacher to improving school programs for students. She completed her Doctorate of Education from the University of Cincinnati in 2004, which she had worked toward for many years. She practiced as a counselor of mental health in Cincinnati until retiring in 2006.
Dr. Yunker was a member of Church of the Saviour United Methodist. She was actively involved in Sunday school and the United Methodist Women Board. She loved reading and shared this love of literature by leading a book club in her home. Another important matter to Jonel was educating others about women’s issues. She also served as the Education and Interpretation Mission Coordinator for several years.

In addition to her parents, Dr. Yunker was preceded in death by one sibling, Olin B. Jones.
Survivors include a son, Jacob (Tosha) Yunker of Louisville; and a daughter, Gwen (Tony) Kielman of Maysville; and two grandchildren, Peyton Kielman and Ella Yunker. Other survivors include her siblings, Burton (Shirley) Jones of Three Rivers, Mich., and Maureen (Herm) Kiewiet; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She also had many special friends through her involvement in her church community.
A memorial service will be held at Church of the Saviour United Methodist Church on March 25, 2017, at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Church of the Saviour United Methodist Women, 8005 Pfeiffer Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242.