Robert M. "Bob" Tunnell, Jr. (died 2002)

Bob Tunnell, training with the signal corps of the U.S. Army, sends his address to Lowell friends: Pvt. Robert M. Tunnell, U.S. 55111867, Co. 8, RTG, SCRTC, Camp Gordon, Georgia.

Pfc. Robert Tunnell, having graduated from Signal Corps School at Fort Monmouth, N.J., spent a 12-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tunnell, Sr., and his sister, Nancy.

An early Christmas was held on December 3rd with a Christmas tree, turkey and all the trimmings. Bob received many pleasing gifts. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Patrick and son, Donny, of Lake Village helped celebrate the occasion.

Bob left by TWA for San Francisco the morning of the 4th, where he will report at Camp Stoneman for further orders.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tunnell, Sr., have received word from their son, Bob, informing them of his arrival at Inge, in Korea. Bob, who is with the signal corps, hopes for letters from friends at home. Address: Pfc. Robert M. Tunnell US55111867, T&T Co., 8th Sig. Btn., APO 909, c/o P.M., San Francisco 6, Calif.

So that Lowell friends may have the correct address of Bob Tunnell, who recently was transported to Korea, we wish to correct a typographical error which occurred last week. Pfc. Robert M. Tunnell, US55111867, T&T Co., 4th Sig. Bn. Corps, APO 909, c/o PM, San Francisco 6, Calif.

Corporal is the title which now precedes the name of Robert M. Tunnell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tunnell, Sr. Bob, who is stationed at Yanggu, Korea, has been in the combat zone for the past two months.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tunnel have been notified that their son, Robert Jr., is confined at the Army's general hospital, Osaka, Japan. "Bob" has a broken leg. Details of the accident have not been revealed. Bob has been in Korea, with communications, since the first of January. Prior to his induction, Bob worked for the Illinois Bell Telephone Co. and his Army training has followed the same course. He will enjoy receiving cards from home friends. Address: Cpl. Robert M. Tunnel, US55111867, MHD, 382nd General Hospital, APO 54, c/o P.M. San Francisco, Calif.

Shirl Snyder, stationed with the Air Force 435 miles from Osaka, Japan, recently made a trip to the general hospital in that city to visit Bob Tunnell, a patient there since July 23rd. Injured in the course of duty, Bob sustained a serious leg fracture. His parents, the Robert Tunnells, Sr., anticipate his arrival home for Christmas.

The following article was found on page 3 of the Nov. 17, 1955, Lowell Tribune:

Robert Tunnell Takes Irish Girl as Bride

Scene of the wedding Nov. 5 of Miss Catherine Leitch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Leitch of Belfast, Ireland, and Robert Tunnell, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tunnell of Lowell, was St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Hammond.
The Rev. Eugene O. Douglass officiated at the 7:30 p.m. single ring ceremony, after which the reception for 200 guests was held at the Lansing Legion hall.

Mrs. Marion Gary sang "Ave Maria" and "O Perfect Love" for the church rites, and guests were seated by Jack Oldfield, Jack Kazen and Jack Vanco. Wilfred Weaver was the best man. Chrysanthemums decorated the church.

Rennie Armstrong of Lowell gave the bride in marriage and she appeared in a floor length gown of Chantilly lace, over satin. The fitted bodice had an illusion yoke and a lace collar and long, lace sleeves which came to points over the hands. The bride's veil was fingertip length and was of French silk illusion. She held a bouquet of white roses.

Mrs. May Cole was matron of honor and wore a gown of nylon lace and net, waltz length, in mint green and a matching headdress. Miss Marie Tomelty, bridesmaid, and Miss Susan Patricia Cole, junior bridesmaid, wore gowns in wood violet and orchid, respectively. The flowers they held were pink and yellow roses.

The bride and groom traveled to Pittsburgh, Pa., on their honeymoon and are making their home at 45 Webb street, Hammond.

A graduate of Lowell high school, the groom is a telephone installer. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

His bride attended schools in Ireland. For a going-away outfit she chose a blue suit and grey accessories.

Robert M. Tunnell, age 72, of Lowell, passed away Thursday, January 24, 2002. He is survived by: one son, Kerry Tunnell of Lowell; three daughters, Eileen (Ken) Travis and Colleen (Steve) Travis, both of Lowell, and Catherine (Jim) Ray of Appleton, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren; and one sister, Nancy Claypool of Indiana. He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Tunnell, in 1992. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. January 28 at Sheets Funeral Home in Lowell, with Pastor Chuck Hochmuth officiating. Burial followed at Lowell Memorial Cemetery in Lowell. Visitation was held from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. January 27 at the funeral home. Robert Tunnell was a 1947 graduate of Lowell High School and a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He retired from Indiana Bell Telephone in 1987 after 39 years of service. A gunsmith who also enjoyed woodworking, he was a member of IBEW Local #336, American Legion Post #101 in Lowell, AMVETS Post #15 in Cedar Lake and the N.R.A., and was a lifetime member of VFW Post #6841.