Charles Edward Gunkel
Born: May 15, 1942
Died: May 21, 2016
Charles E. Gunkel, 74, passed away May 21, 2016 in Oklahoma City, OK. He was born May 15, 1942 in Guthrie, OK, to Wallace and Viola Gunkel.
Charles grew up on the family farm in Coyle. He met his best friend and the love of his life, Willa Silvers, soon after high school and they were married on July 10, 1964. He worked at Tinker Air Force Base for 34 years. He retired from Tinker in 1999 and 2 days later went to work for Logan County District 2, where he continued to work until his death. He also served in the Army National Guard for 30 years. He was a member of Noble Avenue Baptist Church and served as a deacon for many years. He was looking forward to his upcoming retirement. Charles enjoyed helping others with just about anything that was needed. His patience and generosity will be remembered by everyone who knew him. He loved spending time driving his tractor at the family farm, fondly called “Camp Coyle”, riding 4 wheelers in Colorado, and sharing his interests and passing on countless skills to his grandchildren. He lived his life with a positive attitude and many were blessed to know him.
He is preceded in death by his parents and infant son, Rodney Gunkel.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Willa; two children, Shana Downs and husband Terry of Guthrie and Mark Gunkel and wife Candace of Stillwater; brothers, Wallace Gunkel and wife Sharon of Coyle, Bobby Gunkel and wife Linda of Guthrie, LeRoy Gunkel and wife Ruth of Coyle; sisters Patti Gilbreth and husband Paul of Marlow and Carolyn Sanders and husband Raymond of Glencoe; six grandchildren, Easton Downs, Lauryn Downs, Mallory Downs, Madison Gunkel, Seth Gunkel, and Landry Gunkel; and countless other friends and family whom will miss him dearly.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at Noble Avenue Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Summit View Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org/support or to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 54, Guthrie, OK 73044 or www.gideons.org/HowYouCan Help/generaldonations.aspx or to the American Heart Association, SouthWest Affiliate, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75284-1125
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