John Paul Kunzie

John Paul Kunzie, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on November 29 at the age of 87.

Born August 1, 1935, in Canton, Illinois, the son of Karl Wilhelm and Helga Anina (Skafgaard) Kunzie, John grew up in DeKalb and graduated from Purdue University.  After working for Johns Manville and R.R. Donnelley, he founded John’s Lab, a model railroading supply company. In 1976, he moved his family to Woodstock and purchased Castolite, Inc., until his retirement in 2009.

John dearly loved Woodstock as his adopted hometown. He served as a Woodstock Fire Protection District Trustee for 25 years. He supported young people in 4-H, served on the church council at Grace Lutheran Church, and filled in as a guest conductor several times for the Woodstock City Band during Wednesday night concerts.

The greatest love of his life was his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Judie Kunzie (Gustafson), his seven children, Jane, Julie (Kevin), Steve (Kim), Scott (Coleen), Tammy (Scott), Amy (Jeremy), Laura (Adam), his ten grandchildren, Luke (fiancee Laura), Logan (Lisa), Jennifer (Dave), Morgan (fiance TJ), Sarah (fiance Adam), Lillian, Ryan, Colin, Kathryn, Julianne, and four great-grandchildren Landry, Lincoln, Adalynn and Grace.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Carlene (Jung).

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 15, from 6-8 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Rd, Woodstock. A service celebrating John’s life will be held Friday, December 16 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church.

John’s legacy lives on through the donation of his brain tissue to the University of California, Davis, to support research into the causes and a possible cure for Fragile X-Associated Ataxia and Tremor Syndrome. Donations in memory of John Kunzie are requested to the FXTAS Research Fund at the UC Davis MIND Institute.

Donations may also be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Woodstock Fire and Rescue or Fragile X research are appreciated.

For online condolences visit www.davenportfamily.com or call 815-459-3411 for information.