Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Caroline Tungate
Aug 2nd, 1931 - Dec 12th, 2018Caroline Tungate, age 87, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Wednesday evening, December 12, 2018, at her home.
She was born August 2, 1931, in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Maynard James and Estella O. (Cox) Bergen. She was united in marriage to Eldon “Cotton” Tungate on December 31, 1949, in Louisville and they shared 63 years, 3 months, and 4 days of marriage until his death April 4, 2013.
Caroline’s early life was spent in Iowa before moving to Clay County, Illinois, where she began a lifetime of working years which spanned from her teens until she reached age 79. She had been employed at Sears, First National Bank as a bookkeeper, and beginning in the mid-1970’s she joined Dr. John Jaycox in his optometry practice while eventually earning a certified optician designation, and later continuing on with Dr. Scott Wooley. She had been an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, and enjoyed being part of the Sewing Club and the Garden Club. Caroline and Cotton enjoyed spending time out dancing and opportunities to travel over the years, and she opened her home and caring heart for many when she shared good meals, lots of laughter and smiles, and genuine gladness for special moments that she could spend with her family and friends.
She is survived by a son: Mark (wife Sherri) Tungate of Flora; a daughter: Nancy (husband Chuck) Buchanan of Flora; 6 grandchildren: Aaron (wife Valisa) Tungate of Fort Worth, Texas, Adam (wife Carrie) Tungate of Lubbock, Texas, Allison (husband Greg) Mikulecky of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Paige Tungate of Kirkwood, Missouri, Kristen (husband Cole) Duke of Flora, and Zach (wife Lauren) Buchanan of Flora; 13 great-grandchildren: Luke, Ben, Vayle, Ally, Branson, Ella, Imani, Patrick, and Kalip Tungate, Eli and Elise Duke, and Genevieve and Dominic Buchanan; a brother-in-law: Mike Walters of New Providence, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; a special friend: Loren Workman of Cottage Hills; and a host of devoted friends who helped care for her this past year.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; her son: Randy (wife Pam) Tungate; her sister: Judy Walters; and her mother-in-law: Marie Tungate.
A funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, December 17, 2018, at Faith Lutheran Church in Flora. Interment will follow in Orchard Hill Cemetery, Louisville. Visitation is 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora and 9 until 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorial donations are suggested to Clay County Hospice or CEFS Meals on Wheels and will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a memory or condolence visit www.frankandbright.com.