Natalie Bunyard

Natalie Phyllis Bunyard, 100, passed away in her home in Greenwood, Indiana on Sunday, September 9, 2018. She was born on October 20, 1917, in Darlington, Missouri to the late Dan and Maybelle (Walker) Cravens. She married Clifton K. Bunyard on March 3, 1946 in Independence, MO. They were married 60 years until his death in 2006. Survivors include daughter, Glenda (Bunyard) Konopka and her husband, Alex Konopka of Greenwood, IN; grandson, Jeffrey Konopka and his wife, Kavitha Nair of Atlanta, GA; granddaughter, Lauren (Konopka) Hulen and her husband, Michael Hulen of Zionsville, IN; and great-grandchildren, Ellie and Camden Hulen. She is preceded in death by her brother Russell Cravens and sister Carmeta (Cravens) Jordan.

Natalie graduated as Salutatorian from Darlington High School in 1935 and began working for Montgomery Ward in Kansas City in 1936. During WWII, she was employed at Lake City ammunitions plant. Following the war, she worked at Sherwin Williams, and later, after rearing her family, returned to work as a bookkeeper for Russell Stover Candy.

Natalie grew up in the Methodist faith and was a long time member of the Gashland United Methodist Church before moving from Kansas City. Family was always her number one priority. In 1988, Natalie relocated with her husband and her sister to Indiana to be near her daughter & grandchildren. She enthusiastically attended her grandchildren’s sporting and musical events.

Natalie loved all animals, especially cats and her goldfish. She maintained bird feeders and kept a birdbath for her outdoor friends. Natalie enjoyed working in her flower gardens and continued to do so up until the age of 99. Her daylily collection gave her great pleasure. Natalie and Clifton traveled extensively in the US & throughout the world thanks to Clifton’s career at TWA. After retiring, they often vacationed with their fellow TWA friends.

In 2010, Natalie, along with her daughter and granddaughter, joined New Bethel NSDAR Chapter. She enjoyed researching her family history and was very excited to attain membership. The chapter honored her with a special celebration on her 100th birthday.

Funeral services will be on Monday, September 17, 2018, at 2pm, at Terrace Park Cemetery, 108 NW 108th St, Kansas City, MO 64155 (816) 734-5500. Friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer’s Association.