Jacqueline Ann Kuntz

Jacqueline A. Kuntz, 62, of East Peoria, passed away unexpectedly March 7, 2018, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center ER. She was born February 2, 1956, in Fort Worth, Texas to Dale Russell and Hattye Jeanette Weddle Kuntz. Jackie was preceded in death by her sister, Cheryl Lynn Kuntz. Jackie was a Registered Nurse at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria for many years. She cared for many new mothers and infants in her role as a postpartum nurse, integrating teaching and nursing care. After the very exhausting phase of giving birth, the immediate postpartum is a critical stage for both the woman and her baby; Jackies passion and expertise was reflected in their experience. She promoted The March of Dimes; which helps more moms have healthy pregnancies, supports families in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and funds research to fight birth defects and premature birth (www.MarchForBabies.com). Ms. Kuntz was also active in The Center for Prevention of Abuse, (PO Box 3855, Peoria, IL 61612-3855; 309-691-0551) whose mission is to help all people women, men and children live free from violence and abuse. She was looking forward to volunteering for the Annual Duck Race and summer parades. If interested in paying it forward in Jackies name, please contact Kelly for more information at [email protected] Even after her untimely death, through the Gift of Hope program, Jackie enhanced the quality of life or saved the lives of others in need. Jackies work and volunteerism gave her great personal satisfaction and fulfillment as well as the opportunity to make a difference. Jacqueline loved riding the carousel and had quite a collection of merry-go-round figures. Perhaps it was the joyful glee of childrens voices that first attracted her to it! She will be greatly missed by her fianc, Patrick Tucker of East Peoria, they were to be married in June; parents, Dale and Jeanette Kuntz of Chatham; brother, Scott (Christine) Kuntz of Chatham; sister, Linda Jo (Larry) Kotowski of Normal; nieces and nephews, Bailey Kotowski, Bradley James Kuntz, Meghan (Aaron) Hillebrandt; great nephews, Brody Kuntz, Jackson and William Hillebrandt; many friends. Cremation rites will be accorded by Cremation Services of Central Illinois, Chatham. A celebration of her life will be held in Peoria for family and friends to gather and share her lifes story, sometime later this spring.