Zelda A. Kunkle

July 19, 1915 to February 4, 2014

Zelda Athalia Kunkle, born July 19, 1915 in San Luis Obispo, California, the youngest child of James and Sallie Robbins. She had two brothers, Gulmore Robbins and Ongore Robbins, and two sisters, Hildred Robbins and Theta Robbins. Zelda's parent s came to California on a wagon train from Texas, by the way of Oregon, finally settling in San Luis Obispo, where she was born.

Zelda met Chris Kunkle, the love of her life, in San Luis Obispo. They eloped and were married on November 9, 1934. They soon moved from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. Chris and Zelda lived in Santa Barbara for several years before they moved to the Ojai Valley, settling in Oak View in 1939.

Zelda's husband, Chris Kunkle, purchased Glen Oaks Water and Linda Vista Knolls in 1945. Chris ran the water company and also opened a grocery store in Oak View. The name of the water company was later changed to Gardens Water Company and sold to Casitas Municipal Water District.

Due to Zelda's perceived delivery delay for the Oak View mail, Zelda pursued the establishment of a Post Office in Oak View. Zelda took her Civil Service exam, qualified to be a postal employee and was appointed as the first Postmaster of Oak View, California. The post office was originally located in the Kunkle grocery store until a suitable building could be located for the Post Office. In approximately 1963 the old post office moved to its current location.

Zelda's husband, Chris, took the Civil Service exam and became a postal clerk. Both Zelda and Chris retired from the U.S. Postal Service. Zelda's dear husband, Chris Kunkle, died on August 15, 1982. Over the years all of Zelda's immediate family died under tragic circumstances. Zelda, however, lived a happy and healthy 98 years. Zelda loved Oak View and especially her panoramic view of the Ojai Mountains. She often said that she was greeted by the "Chief ' every morning.

Zelda spent many hours working for the benefit of her community and the Methodist church. Zelda loved cooking and photography, particularly pictures of flowers and nature. She incorporated her own photographs into greeting cards for her friends. She loved sharing her photographs and continued making personalized cards until her last illness. Zelda loved Angels and Creches and had an ever-growing collection of each. Christmas in Zelda's home was an opportunity for her to bring out all her Angels and Creches and she loved each and every one!

Zelda had many friends in the Ojai and Oak View communities. She was a happy person, but quite reserved. She loved having tea and eating chocolate. Zelda Athalia Kunkle died on February 4, 2014 in Oak View, California, at the age of 98. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, March 19 at 10:30am at Nordoff Cemetery.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Charles Carroll Funeral Home, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura, 805-642-8134.