In Memory Of
Karen S. Dunlap
1944
2020
Karen S. Dunlap
June 23, 1944 — September 20, 2020
Karen S. Dunlap of Kettering, Ohio died Sunday, 20 September 2020. She was 76 years old.
Karen was born to Fred Merriman & Marjorie B. Anderson during the hottest summer recorded in Dayton, Ohio on June 23, 1944.
It was during World War II, and Americans everywhere were growing their Victory Gardens, buying war bonds and flocking to the theatres in search of air-conditioning and a movie with their favorite stars. The teenagers were dancing to the music of Harry James, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
Growing up one of three children in a house considered tiny by today's standards, Karen enjoyed a fun and active childhood. There were busses to ride downtown, sleds to race downhill and trees to climb. She dearly loved spending time with her grandparents and extended family, always cherishing the holidays and Sunday dinners that brought everyone together. Life was simple, slow and easy-going and seemed as though it would last forever.
If there was one word Karen would use to describe herself, it would be "independent." After a brief marriage, she was very proud of being able support herself and though never attending college, she educated herself on just about every subject she could think to learn about.
Born and raised in Ohio, Karen loved learning about other cultures and when the opportunity to travel overseas came along, she was ready. She rode a camel in Africa, saw a bullfight in Spain, enjoyed a Coke in Mexico, tossed coins in Trevi fountain in Italy and saw the Rockies in Canada. Her first-hand observations of the local culture, the ancient ruins, architecture and art enriched Karen's life the way books never could.
The beach called Karen's name through the years, and Florida was the destination of choice to catch the sun's rays and feel the sand between her toes as she watched the sun set over the water.
Retiring in 2013 as the Marketing Coordinator for ChemStation International, Inc., Karen worked at a variety of companies and corporations over the years and at one point even ran her own business.
A tireless volunteer and a champion bowler, Karen earned many accolades over the years, including: Past President, President's Club of Dayton, Lifetime Member Sertoma International, Member Dayton Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame, and 1987 Top 10 Women in Dayton. For over 20 years she raised money for Sertoma sponsorships with the Kettering Holiday at Home and organized the Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon for the Hearing and Speech Center in 1979.
Equally at ease with simplicity and the finer things in life, Karen loved discovering and sharing experiences such as fine dining, museums, concerts and beautiful hotels. However, on a rainy Saturday, she was just as content to watch John Wayne movies, old musicals or just about any Disney movie. A life-long pet lover, there was almost always a kitty keeping Karen company on the chair.
Always having a flair for giving the perfect present, her relatives looked forward to the special surprise boxes full of chocolates, snacks and fun things Karen found to send them that let them know she was thinking of them.
Karen's death leaves a hole that cannot be filled in the lives of her family and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Colleen Boyd (Nathan) of Kingwood, TX, granddaughter, Victoria Neely (Gary) of Bloomington, IN, brother, Larry Merriman (Patty) of Dayton, OH, sister, Nancy Brautigam Meenach (Tom) of Dayton, OH, nieces, Jackie West (Doug) of Miamisburg, OH and LeAnn Stauffer (Tim) of Alexandria, VA, nephews, Gary Kreitzer Jr. (Jamie) of Germantown, OH, Nick Brautigam (Kristen) of Centerville, OH and numerous grand-and-great-grand nieces and nephews, along with extended family.
At Karen's request, there will be no funeral service. However, immediate family will privately celebrate Karen's life on a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Karen's name to Hospice of Dayton.
Karen would hope that when thinking of her you remember one of her favorite quotes by Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne), "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever."
Karen was born to Fred Merriman & Marjorie B. Anderson during the hottest summer recorded in Dayton, Ohio on June 23, 1944.
It was during World War II, and Americans everywhere were growing their Victory Gardens, buying war bonds and flocking to the theatres in search of air-conditioning and a movie with their favorite stars. The teenagers were dancing to the music of Harry James, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
Growing up one of three children in a house considered tiny by today's standards, Karen enjoyed a fun and active childhood. There were busses to ride downtown, sleds to race downhill and trees to climb. She dearly loved spending time with her grandparents and extended family, always cherishing the holidays and Sunday dinners that brought everyone together. Life was simple, slow and easy-going and seemed as though it would last forever.
If there was one word Karen would use to describe herself, it would be "independent." After a brief marriage, she was very proud of being able support herself and though never attending college, she educated herself on just about every subject she could think to learn about.
Born and raised in Ohio, Karen loved learning about other cultures and when the opportunity to travel overseas came along, she was ready. She rode a camel in Africa, saw a bullfight in Spain, enjoyed a Coke in Mexico, tossed coins in Trevi fountain in Italy and saw the Rockies in Canada. Her first-hand observations of the local culture, the ancient ruins, architecture and art enriched Karen's life the way books never could.
The beach called Karen's name through the years, and Florida was the destination of choice to catch the sun's rays and feel the sand between her toes as she watched the sun set over the water.
Retiring in 2013 as the Marketing Coordinator for ChemStation International, Inc., Karen worked at a variety of companies and corporations over the years and at one point even ran her own business.
A tireless volunteer and a champion bowler, Karen earned many accolades over the years, including: Past President, President's Club of Dayton, Lifetime Member Sertoma International, Member Dayton Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame, and 1987 Top 10 Women in Dayton. For over 20 years she raised money for Sertoma sponsorships with the Kettering Holiday at Home and organized the Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon for the Hearing and Speech Center in 1979.
Equally at ease with simplicity and the finer things in life, Karen loved discovering and sharing experiences such as fine dining, museums, concerts and beautiful hotels. However, on a rainy Saturday, she was just as content to watch John Wayne movies, old musicals or just about any Disney movie. A life-long pet lover, there was almost always a kitty keeping Karen company on the chair.
Always having a flair for giving the perfect present, her relatives looked forward to the special surprise boxes full of chocolates, snacks and fun things Karen found to send them that let them know she was thinking of them.
Karen's death leaves a hole that cannot be filled in the lives of her family and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Colleen Boyd (Nathan) of Kingwood, TX, granddaughter, Victoria Neely (Gary) of Bloomington, IN, brother, Larry Merriman (Patty) of Dayton, OH, sister, Nancy Brautigam Meenach (Tom) of Dayton, OH, nieces, Jackie West (Doug) of Miamisburg, OH and LeAnn Stauffer (Tim) of Alexandria, VA, nephews, Gary Kreitzer Jr. (Jamie) of Germantown, OH, Nick Brautigam (Kristen) of Centerville, OH and numerous grand-and-great-grand nieces and nephews, along with extended family.
At Karen's request, there will be no funeral service. However, immediate family will privately celebrate Karen's life on a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Karen's name to Hospice of Dayton.
Karen would hope that when thinking of her you remember one of her favorite quotes by Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne), "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever."
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Karen S. Dunlap, please visit our flower store.
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