Carolyn Joyce Lunn

Carolyn Joyce (Eckley) Lunn, 91, of Olathe, KS passed away on October 29, 2025, at Olathe Medical Center.

She was born on August 27, 1934, to Lyle and Margaret (Bradford) Eckley in the home of the Nazarene pastor in Olivet, Illinois. As the daughter of a minister, she lived in a number of communities including Freeport, IL, Milwaukee, WI, Beacon NY, Dover NJ and Peoria, IL. Of all these places, Beacon held a special place in her heart-where she picked raspberries in the summer and enjoyed sledding in the winter.

Upon graduating from high school in Peoria, she headed to Olivet Nazarene College. She met her first husband, David Miller there and they were married in December of her sophomore year. The couple moved to Kansas City, MO so David could attend Nazarene Theological Seminary to become a minister. Tragically, nine months into their marriage, David was killed on August 6, 1955 in a car accident. Carolyn sustained injuries of her own but courageously returned to Olivet that Fall to complete her degree in elementary education. This demonstrated a lifelong faith and a quiet strength that would define her life. She later received the “O Award” from her alma mater distinguishing her as an outstanding alum.

Upon graduation, she returned to Kansas City to begin her teaching career. It was here that she met Vernon Lunn at church. Vernon was a widower with two young daughters. They were married on April 9th, 1960, and she instantly became “Mother” to Susan and Sharon. Three years later, they welcomed a son, Kevin Vernon, to the family.

Carolyn was devoted to her family and was always involved in her local church. In 1965, the family moved to the Detroit, MI area for Vernon to start a new job. Carolyn taught an adult Sunday School class and was the Nazarene district missionary president for a number of years. The highlight of her adult life was to be selected as the prayer coordinator for the Detroit Area Billy Graham Crusade in 1976. She had the privilege of meeting Dr. Graham and Cliff Barrows as well.

When Vernon retired in 1988, they moved to Olathe, KS where their three grown children and grandchildren lived. They both became very involved in College Church of the Nazarene. Carolyn taught an adult Sunday School class as well as led a ladies Bible Study. She also led a devotional time for the participants of the musical “The Victor”, a powerful dramatization of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Carolyn was invited to speak at numerous retreats and conferences around the country . She wrote a book, titled “Joy Anyway”, where she shares how to see God even in life’s tough circumstances.

She and Vernon were a “hospitality team” that delighted in having friends and family to their home for a meal. Carolyn loved decorating for holidays and was an accomplished seamstress making many of her own clothes.

Carolyn’s life was marked by a keen thirst for knowledge that made her an avid reader. Any trip alone to a restaurant included a book! She also loved getting to know the servers by name.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Vernon Lunn, her daughter- in- law, Kathy Lunn, and her son- in- law, Bill Clair.

She is survived by her daughters Sharon Clair, Susan (Bob) Denham and son, Kevin (Kim) Lunn. Grandchildren, Carter Clem, Crystal (Todd) Clem-Campbell, Aubrey (Taylor) Parker, Ashley (Kendall) Johnson, and Meg (Sam) Lunn-Halbert. Great grandsons, Maverick, Wilder and Jackson Parker as well as Finn and Archie Campbell. Sisters Jeanne (Chuck) Millhuff and Kathleen (Jim) Norgaard. Nieces Melinda Millhuff, Jeanne Lynn Mellish, Laura Gordon and nephew, Dr. Charles (Chip) Millhuff.

Carolyn’s faith and joy touched countless lives. Her light will continue to shine brightly through all who loved her. Hers is a legacy of prayer, Bible reading and absolute trust in her Lord, Jesus Christ. She often said, “I want to walk so closely with Jesus, that it will be just a natural thing to walk with Him right into eternity.” And that is exactly what she did!

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Uphaus Hall at College Church of the Nazarene at 2020 E. Sheridan, Olathe, KS. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with the service at 11:00 a.m. A private family burial will take place afterwards at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens.

For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/live/jOyBHe4W1Vc. 

Memorial donations can be made to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.

To leave a special message for her family or to share a memory of Carolyn, please visit the guestbook below.