Junior Gene Dunkel, 91, earned his wings Friday, December 15, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at his home in Walton.  He was born May 7, 1926.

Gene enjoyed golf, travel, fishing, hunting and telling stories about his life and his experiences in the Navy.  He joined the Navy at seventeen years of age and served on the USS Wilkes, a destroyer in the north Atlantic and south Pacific during WW2.  He was a member of the Walton American Legion Post #418 and attended Walton United Methodist Church.  He was also a member of the Walton Masonic Lodge #423.  Gene worked as a union carpenter for 43 years before his retirement.

Gene was blessed with many good friends and appreciated their kindness.  He was also very proud of his family and their accomplishments.  He was greatly appreciated as a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great great grandfather, friend and community member.

He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Margaret Dunkel; his son, Robert (Tammy) Dunkel and daughter Teresa Cook. Surviving grandchildren include, Candi Wake, Brian (Deborah) Cook and Mark (Ana) Dunkel.  Also surviving are his great grandchildren, Leah and Brian Nicklaus, Ashley an Mike O’Brien, Nathan Cook, Dyson and Hannah Wake, Emily Wake, Nicole and Sofia Dunkel, Kyle Reaves and Chloe Fletcher and great great grandchildren, Colton and Hudson Nicklaus and Ava Tonelete.  He is also survived by one sister, Wilda Jenkins.   He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gail Dunkel.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2017 at the Walton United Methodist Church, 501 N. Davis St, Walton, Indiana with Pastor Carolyn DeWitt officiating.  Military rites will be observed also at 3:00 p.m. Friday at the Church.  Friends and family may visit from 1:00 pm until time of services at 3:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the church in Gene’s honor.  Murray Weaver Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com

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