><+> . RAY DUNKIN . <+><

Bussey, Iowa


><+> . RAY DUNKIN, 81, of Bussey, Iowa, passed away Monday, December 3, 2007 from complications of diabetes at the Long Term Care unit of the Pella Regional Health Center, Pella, Iowa.

RAY was born February 11, 1926 east of Lovilia, Iowa in rural Monroe County, Iowa, to Orville and Gladys (SHUTTS) DUNKIN.

After graduating from Bussey High School in 1944, RAY joined three older brothers to serve in the U.S. ARMY. . Stationed at both Ft. Benning and Ft. Bragg, RAY made 26 jumps as a PARATROOPER with the 82ND AIRBORNE.

On June 14, 1947, RAY married Josephine BLOMGREN. In his early years, RAY worked in the coal mines of Monroe and Marion counties, in Iowa. . The remainder of his working years were spent operating Dunkin Construction.

RAY's happiest times were spent working with wood, coon hunting, having coffee at the Bussey Café, attending his children and grandchildren's ballgames at Twin Cedars High School, and listening to the Chicago Cubs on the radio. . He was also a member of the American Legion and past member of the Bussey Lions Club, Bussey, Iowa.
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RAY IS SURVIVED BY HIS ~

* WIFE of 60 years, Josephine;

* FIVE CHILDREN~ Jim DUNKIN and wife Lana, of Bussey, Iowa; Mark DUNKIN, of Bussey, Iowa; Mary (DUNKIN) EDWARDS and husband John, of Pella, Iowa; Jane PECH, of Carlisle, Iowa; and Gina (DUNKIN) EMBRAY and husband Doug, of Van Horne, Iowa.

* GRANDCHILDREN~ include Ryan and Zack DUNKIN; Josh, Holly, and Michael EDWARDS; Jolee and Mikaela DUNKIN; Cody, Derek, Mallory and Andrew PECH; and Quintin and Ellie EMBRAY. .

* GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN~ include Brooke, Bailey, Ainsley, and Cole DUNKIN.

RAY IS ALSO SURVIVED BY HIS ~

* SISTER, Ardith NUSSER of Greeley, Colorado;

* BROTHER, Dr. Orville DUNKIN, Jr. and wife, Edwardia, of Pella, Iowa.

_______ <+> <+> <+> _______


><+> RAY WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS ~

+ INFANT SON, Gordon;

+ PARENTS~ Orville and Gladys DUNKIN;

+ BROTHERS~ Kenneth, Dick, Gene, Duane, Dale;

+ SISTER~ BEULAH.

_______ <+> <+> <+> _______

* FUNERAL SERVICES~ will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 6, 2007 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Albia, Iowa, with Pastor Tim Stoller officiating.

* BURIAL~ will follow at GREENLAWN CEMETERY, in Bussey, Marion County, Iowa, with MILITARY RITES conducted by the American Legion of Bussey, Iowa.

* VISITATION~ will be held on Wednesday, December 5, from 12 to 8 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5 to 8 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Bussey, Iowa.

* In lieu of flowers, MEMORIALS can be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church and Twin Cedars Athletic Booster Club.

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** Published on December 05, 2007
Des Moines Register...page..6-B