It only takes one smile to offer welcome, and
Blessed is the person who will share it.
It only takes one moment to be helpful, and
Blessed be the person who will spare it.
It only takes one joy to lift a spirit, and
Blessed be the person who will give it.
It only takes one life to make a difference, and
Blessed be the person who will live it. (Amanda Bradley)
Karen Kissel will always be remembered as someone who was quick to smile, to help others, and to joyfully lift a spirit. Because of her faith in Jesus she lived a life that made a very positive difference in the world.
Karen was born in Beaumont, Texas, on April 27, 1959, to Van Phillip Hunt Sr. and Mary Beth Chambers Hunt. On October 15, 2026, she departed this world peacefully during her sleep, and went home to be with Jesus.
Karen was the first of four children (Julie, Phillip and Eric) who had a fun early childhood playing together, and with friends, on Hurley Drive. When Karen was seven her father found a farm out in the country just north of Buna, Texas, and moved the family there. They lived in the old farm house on the property that was built back around the 1860s. And there the family made fond memories too numerous to count.
Karen and her siblings played in the yard, ran through the woods, rode horses, picked vegetables and sold them on the side of the road, made a raft out of plastic 55-gallon drums for the pond, and built numerous structures including a little cabin they made out of logs they cut down with hatchets and axes. Since Karen was the oldest she often took charge of organizing their projects and activities. And she did a good job of it! Karen and her siblings had a storybook childhood. And, later in life, Karen compiled many of those childhood stories, along with some old photos, into a family keepsake book.
Karen took up piano at a young age. She played clarinet. She won the talent portion - and was the overall winner for her age group - of the Little Miss Buna competition one year. She was in the Buna High School marching band, was a twirler, and was an excellent student.
Karen was also very involved with her church, and learned to love the Lord with her family as she participated in worship, children's and youth programs, and many other church activities and ministries. Thanks to the godly example of her parents, Karen discovered the beauty of a life devoted to God. She learned to live a faith-filled life.
After high school graduation, and getting some college under her belt, Karen gave birth to her first son: Dustin Paul Wheeler. A few years later Jon Wesley Wheeler came along. As a young mom Karen committed herself to raising her boys the way she'd been raised. She involved them in the life of the church, set a good example for them as she continued her involvement in numerous church activities and as a church musician, all the while working with her sons to help them discover the beauty of a faith-filled life.
During those years Karen worked a variety of jobs. She eventually got back to college and earned a bachelor's degree from Lamar University. She then taught school for a few years in Kirbyville, Texas.
Not many years later Karen met and married Kevin Kissel, a Methodist pastor, and began the challenging life of being a pastor's wife and blending two families - her two sons with Kevin's three children: Emily, Elizabeth and Mark.
Karen excelled as a pastor's wife, working side-by-side with Kevin in the churches he served in Southeast Texas, Waller County, and the greater Houston area. She was involved in ministries with children and music, and was willing to step in and help with any aspect of church life when she was needed. At Cypress Methodist Church Karen led a Children's Choir that, under her gifted ability to lead and organize, grew to 175 children. At the time it was believed to be the largest Methodist Children's Choir - that had weekly rehearsals and activities - in the country!
Through the years Karen and Kevin were blessed to watch their family grow. Their 5 children gave them 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren so far. And there's never been a doubt, each family member has always known they were of great importance to Karen. She was with family as often as she could be, setting a godly example for them they'll never forget. Her soft-spoken, patient, kind, gentle, loving nature - along with her words of wisdom and godly advice - made a huge impact on her family. The same is true of her extended family and many, many friends. Karen set a powerful, inspiring Christian example by the way she lived that she'll be remembered for always.
Early in the morning of October 15, 2026, Karen was welcomed into her eternal home. With joy and amazement she met Jesus face-to-face. She saw his smile, felt his embrace, and heard his gentle voice speak words something like these: "Well done good and faithful servant... enter the joy of your Master." (Matt. 25:21)
Karen will be dearly missed by those she left behind. She is survived by her children, Dustin Paul Wheeler and his wife, Melissa, Jon Wheeler, Emily Patterson and her husband, Blake, Elizabeth Masteller, and Mark Kissel and his wife, Ali. Her grandchildren, Logan Wheeler, Landri Wheeler, Haylee Hebert, Baylee Cypert, Taylor Rankin, Lane Wheeler, Harper Wheeler, Emersen Dupuis, Westen Patterson, Dawsen Patterson, Mason Masteller, Maci Masteller, Kamdyn Kissel, Adilyn Kissel, and her great-grandchildren, Kaicen Hebert, Hattie Beth Hebert, Briggs Cypert, and Blaire Cypert. Her memory will be treasured by her mother, Mary Elizabeth Hunt, and her siblings, Julie Reeves and her husband, David, Phillip Hunt and his wife, Angie, and Eric Hunt.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Van Phillip Hunt.
Visitation and a Worship Service to celebrate Karen's life will take place on October 24, 2026, at Woodcrest Methodist Church, 1684 US-96, Lumberton, Texas 77657.
Visitation: Noon to 1:50 PM at Woodcrest Methodist Church, Lumber. Lumberton Texas. Worship Service: 2:00 PM
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials gifts be given to a Christian Church or other Christian Organization of your choice.