Carl “Kelly” Hunsberger Jr., 87, Wakarusa, went home to be with Jesus, at 4:42 a.m., Friday, Sept. 30, 2016 at his residence.  He was born Feb. 3, 1929 in Elkhart to Carl Sr. and Ruth (Mishler) Hunsberger.

Carl Hunsberger was a 1947 graduate of Wakarusa High School and served in the Indiana National Guard. On April 25, 1948, he married Geraldine “Deanie” Mae Buzzard. She survives along with their children: Linda (Larry) Andrews, Nappanee; Carla (Daryl) Kauffman, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Steve (Ronda) Hunsberger, Wakarusa; grandchildren: Tyler (Nicci) Sloat, Amy (Ben) Wilson, both of Goshen; Kelli (Vic) Branstetter, California; Angela (Bill) Curtis, Michigan; Kyle (Brooke) Hunsberger, South Bend; Kelsey (Luis) Morales, Goshen; 11 great grandchildren; and sister, Jeanette Verheye, Wakarusa.  He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, SSGT Travis Hunsberger, Green Berets who was killed in Afghanistan in 2008.

Carl Hunsberger was the owner and founder of Kelly’s Woodcraft in Wakarusa, which is Kelwood Designs today. The business began in 1951. He had also worked at Honey Crest of Elkhart, Brown and Brown in Wakarusa, and Nappanee Wood Products. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Elkhart and formerly attended Bible Baptist Church in Wakarusa, where he had been an Awana leader. He was a member of the Wakarusa Lions Club and a former member of the Wakarusa Fire Department. Kelly loved spending time with his family. He also enjoyed church basketball and soft ball, trail rides with his horses, traveling, camping, elk hunting trips in Montana and fishing trips in Canada.

Private family services have been arranged with Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home in Wakarusa.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Ssg Travis Hunsberger Memorial Fund through Interra or the funeral home.