Carl Earl Zukunft

Carl Earl Zukunft, 95, born March 9, 1928 in Clinton, IN to Paul Carl Zukunft and Mary L. Miller Zukunft, died March 11, 2023 at Gibson Family Hospice, Union Hospital in Terre Haute, IN. Carl grew up in Greene County, IN and was a graduate of Jasonville High School in 1945. After graduation he made Terre Haute his home. He married his childhood sweetheart LaVina "Wege" Hamilton at Montrose Methodist Church in Terre Haute by Rev. Loveless on June 12, 1948. Together they had three children: Dana Zukunft (Annette) of Hockley, TX, Carla Lundy (Jim) of Terre Haute, IN, and Carol Staley (Steve) of Clay City, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents. His wife, Wege, of 61 wonderful years preceded him in death in January, 2010. Also preceding was a brother, Albert Zukunft, two grandsons, Kevin Lundy and Brett Lundy and a great great- granddaughter, Lynlee Laczko. His second wife of seven years, Lois Francis Morgan also preceded him.

He was a devout Christian as well as a loving and caring father and grandfather. He was always willing to help others in need. His working career was in the communication field starting in 1945 working for Western Electric Co. installing equipment for AT&T and the Bell system. In 1958 he became manager of the Harrison Twp. Telephone Co. in Clay City, IN. He received an associate degree in Management from Whittenburg University and was a graduate of Dale Carnegie Institute. In 1961 he took a position as District Manager for General Telephone Co. in Rushville, IN. It was under his management there that the first direct long distance dial in IN was implemented. He returned to Terre Haute in a supervisory capacity in 1968 until his retirement in 1985. He returned to the workforce part-time with First Financial Bank as their maintenance and courier in the Brazil, IN area for 7 years. He and Wege lived in the Clay Co. area for nearly 40 years before moving to Terre Haute. They enjoyed many years traveling in their travel trailer around the United States and were members of the Dixie Bee Camping Club in Terre Haute. Carl was a member of the Boy Scouts of America for 25 years serving as a Cub Scout leader, Boy Scout leader, a member of the Kickapoo Lodge, and a District Commissioner. He did some of his leadership training at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He was a life member of Clay Co. Genealogy Society, a charter member of Clay Co. Optimist Club and a member of Lions Club of Clay City and Rushville. Carl served in several capacities on the Posey Twp. Volunteer Fire Dept. in Clay Co. IN. for many years. Carl had attended North Union United Methodist Church, Christ Community Church, Eastside Church of Christ and lastly Prairieton United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his three children and their spouses. His surviving five grandchildren are acting as honorary pallbearers, Micki Zukunft (Chris Daunorus), Amber Zukunft Wilson (Terry), Chad Staley (Carrie), Shannon Staley Kelley (David), and Andy Zukunft (April), 10 great-grandchildren, 1 great- great- grandchild with another on the way. Step-daughters, LouAnn Morgan Pence (Don) and Cindy Morgan. Also numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins survive.

Funeral services and also visitation is Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 4:00p.m. until service time at 7:00 p.m. Pastor Terry Wilson will be performing the service at Greiner Funeral Home, located at 2005 N 13th Street, Terre Haute, IN. At his request, cremation will follow and a private graveside internment will be at a later date in Clearview Cemetery in Brazil, IN. He requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Prairieton U.M. Church or Clay Co. Genealogical Society, PO Box 56 Centerpoint, IN 47850 or to the charity of your choice in his memory.
 

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