Darlene (Cookie) Frances Dunkle passed away on June 11th 2019 at the age of 73 and returned to her heavenly home after a brave 2 year struggle with heart and kidney failure. Her devotion to Jesus and belief in God powered her through her struggles. Her faith was always strong and remained so until she was called home.
Darlene was born to John and Virginia (Norcross) Hughes on August 25, 1945 in Wheeling, West Virginia and grew up in Martins Ferry, Ohio. During her youth, “Cookie” was active in Rainbow Girls and received the highest honor of “Worthy Advisor” and always had academic excellence when graduating High School in 1963. Cookie graduated from Ohio State University of Xray Technology in 1966 and worked at the Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Later she worked at the Western Center Hospital for Disabled Children in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania before retiring. “Cookie” was an active member of Living Stone Community Church where she taught Sunday School for many years, assisted with VBS, sang in the choir and participated in many prayer groups. After Retiring, Cookie and Randall moved to Florida in 2015 to the Continental Country Club Community.
Darlene married Randall E. Dunkle in 1964 and they spent 54 wonderful years together. They had two daughters, Gretchen (Jon) Clemens and Heidi (Rodney) Holub. She was blessed with four beautiful grandchildren, Emily Frances Clemens, Delana Elizabeth Clemens, Olivia Mae Holub, Ian Paul Holub, step-grandchildren Duane Holub and Karlea Grayson and they all survive.
“Cookie” is also survived by her sister Marsha Alexander and nephew Lance Alexander both of Lake Worth, FL, her aunt Marlene (George) Calvert of Marietta, GA and their sons Breyer and Brent Calvert of Georgia and their families.
“Cookie” is preceded in death by her parents and also her beloved niece Erica Lee Sedler.
“Cookie” was a truly unique and loving soul, who filled all those in her world with light, love, and joy. She was deeply devoted to her husband and family and in return was loved by her family and will be greatly missed.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 3-5 PM at the chapel of Page-Theus Funeral Home in Leesburg with services and burial to be at a later date in Wintersville, Ohio.
I lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Living Stone Community Church, 265 North Ave, Washington, Pennsylvania 15301.
