Leopold J. Kunkel, area pioneer and resident of the Terrapin community since 1880, died at his home, he was 96.

He was the oldest of the Kunkel brothers who played a prominent role in the early days of farming in this section and in organizing the St. Luke's Lutheran church in 1907.

Services for the elderly farmer were held at St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Olney.

Last rites were officiated by an old friend, Rev. P.J. Klenk of Dallas, who was pastor of St. Luke's Lutheran Church for 35 years before moving away in 1947 to assume home mission duties. Rev. Klenk returned to Olney to pay the last tributes to Kunkel and to be present when the pioneer was buried in Olney Old Cemetery in the family lot, beside the grave of his wife who was interred there before him.

Kunkel, born at Posern, Germany, was a child when his father brought the family to America and then to Texas, first settling in Washington County. Then they moved to this section and to the Terrapin community - then known as Salt Creek Flats - in 1883, just two years after the first settler came to the North Young County area.

Kunkel was 18 years old when the family came to Texas.

Leopold Kunkel married Miss Pauline Hiler on 13 December 1876 at Washington County, Texas. She died in 1879 at Washington County, Texas. Two children were born to this union: Otto Henry and Leopold William

Leopold Kunkel married Miss Augusta Wischmensky on 20 February 1881 at Salem Lutheran Church in Brenham, Washington County, Texas. She preceded him in death.

Survived by 11 children including a daughter, Mrs. F.C. Knobloch, with whom he had made his home since 1935 and the following others sons and daughters - O.H. Kunkel of Albany, L.W. and E.H. Kunkel of Olney, D.E. Kunkel of Perryton, Mrs. Paul Avera of Austin, Mrs. W.C. Phillips of Clifton, E.F. Kunkel of Henrietta, R.W. Kunkel of Olney, Edward Kunkel of Archer City, Mrs. Alvina Wilhelm of Austin; four brothers - H.D., Julius, A.M. Kunkel, all of Olney, Albert Kunkel of Hamilton; one great-grandchild; one great-great-grandchild.

The Kunkel family established St. Luke's Lutheran church, and the 4 brothers, Henry, Leopold, Julius and Adolph, were actively interested in the development of Olney. The large families of the Kunkels and the Wilhelms were united many times, the second generation providing five marriages between the two.