Carolyn Ann (Kunkle) Fritchman, a realtor for three decades who
also headed Indiana County’s tourist bureau and participated in
many other civic organizations, died Thursday October 20, 2022
at the Indiana Regional Medical Center. She was 82.
Mrs. Fritchman, who began her real estate career in 1985, worked
at Norma White Realty, Putt Real Estate, and other firms. As the
Indiana County Tourist Bureau’s executive director, Mrs.
Fritchman promoted the area and helped coordinate many public
events, including appearances by Queen Evergreen, the annual
Christmas tree lighting and a 1983 celebration to honor
Hollywood actor Jimmy Stewart on his 75th birthday.
Queen Evergreen XX, who had been crowned on the eve of Stewart’s
hometown visit, recalled Mrs. Fritchman urging her to enjoy the
moment. Thrilled to be riding with a famous movie star in the
parade, Queen Evergreen confided that she wished to give Stewart
a kiss.
“I was brand new,” Susan (McCullough) Wilson told The Indiana
Gazette years later. “So I asked [Mrs. Fritchman] if I could.
She said it was my show and I could do whatever I wanted to. So
I kissed him.”
Mrs. Fritchman also helped with early efforts to establish the
Jimmy Stewart Museum. During her time at the tourist bureau, the
Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame’s county chapter was
inaugurated and historic Ewings Mill was reopened for tourism.
Carolyn Ann Fritchman was born March 25, 1940 in Detroit to
Sebastian and Ann (Malhosky) Cubeta. Her father, a second-
generation Italian immigrant, was a labor organizer with the
United Auto Workers. Her mother’s family immigrated from Ukraine
and settled in Nanty Glo, Pa.
Mrs. Fritchman graduated from Indiana Area Senior High School in
- She served as president of the Indiana Hospital Auxiliary
and as an officer in the Indiana Business and Professional
Women’s Club. She helped organize the March of Dimes Mothers’
March, led a Girl Scout troop and, while living in Arizona,
worked as a teacher’s aide assisting children with disabilities.
She sang in the Sounds of Style quartet and the Indi-Anna
Chapter of the Sweet Adelines choir, competed in local golf
tournaments and loved to travel.
Mrs. Fritchman is predeceased by her husband, Vernon N.
Fritchman. A previous marriage to Fred E. Kunkle, of New River,
AZ, ended in divorce.
She is survived by four children: Prudence Ann Kunkle, of
Phoenix; Fredrick Kunkle and his wife, Evelyn Hockstein, of
Washington, D.C.; Stephen C. Kunkle, of Phoenix; and Timothy J.
Kunkle and his wife, Tracey, of Indiana, Pa. She is survived by
10 grandchildren: Laura Dougherty, Joseph Dougherty, Hannah
Kunkle, Madeleine Kunkle, Olivia Kunkle, Carter Kunkle, Emily
Kunkle, Daisy Ore, Alicia Rounds and Adam Kunkle. She is
survived by five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home & Crematory of Indiana
on March 25, 2023. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Indiana County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be made at: rbfh.net .
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