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Jill Vactor Gunzel 60, of Sierra Vista, Arizona passed away October 15, 2012 at her residence of 13 years. Jill was born April 7, 1952 in Cleveland Ohio to Alma Kane Vactor and David C. Vactor. She attended Palo Verde High School, where she met Stephen Gunzel their freshman year 45 years ago. After attending Northwestern University, and graduating with a bachelors and a masters degree in education from the University of Arizona, Jill and Steve married in 1974. Jill taught school at Palo Verde High School and at Temple Emanu El in Tucson. A lover of music and dance, she was a nationally certified clogging instructor, a certified square dance caller. Jill was an author and speaker on the topic of Restless Leg Syndrome, Miss University of Arizona 1971 and a wonderful homemaker, wife, mother, grandma, daughter, and sister. Jill was preceded in death by her loving husband of 37 years, Steve Gunzel; her father, and sister. She is survived by one son, Jon (Trina) Gunzel; one daughter, Julie (Jeremy) Graff, and six grandchildren, Wyatt and Abbigail Gunzel, Leslie, Adam, Bailey, and Warren Graff; her mother, Alma Kane Vactor, and her brother, Drew (Kandie) Vactor. Memorial contributions may be considered to Caring Bridge (www.caringbridge.org) or to BagIt! (www.bagit4u.org)
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Kristine Walden (Krugle)
I am so sorry to hear about Jill's passing. While Steve was sick I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with the two of them through Caring Bridge but had no idea she'd left this wonderful life. Must have been because of dieing from a lonely heart. God Bless Steve and Jill. You are greatly missed.
Barbara Dupuy (Stark)
I remember Jill complaining that she could never get Steve to give up on her. I guess that was a good thing because he became the love of her life. Steve became ill just before the last reunion & Jill wasn't able to come. I'm sorry I didn't get to see them one more time.
Fred Skydog Emerling
i had been a track teammate of steve's for a couple of years but graduated in 1968 and left for community college. after running track for the university of alabama, i came back to tucson and saw steve at the UA. was he big!!great looking body and a far better track athlete than i was (i believe he had the 5th or 6th farthest discus throw in the US that year). years later, through this site, i found out he was sick and went to visit both jill and steve in sierra vista becuase i had such fond memories of him. they were so nice and i was truly honored to have seen them both, although i didn't know jill well. she let me know about steve's death but i was never able to see her after this as i lived in fresno. the world lost two incredible people...