William David Hunkler

William David Hunkler, 71, of Barnesville, Ohio passed away of prostate cancer at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, January 24, 2021.

He was born in Barnesville on January 18,1950 to Mancel and Virginia (Bailey) Hunkler.

Bill graduated from Barnesville High School in 1968 and Bowling Green State University in 1972 earning a bachelor’s in education. He went on to earn the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from The American College and worked as a Financial Representative for the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network for 39 years. He served as President of the Estate Planning Council of Upper Ohio Valley as well as the West Virginia Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

For 30 years he was Chairman of the Board of Barnesville Thrift Store and Food Pantry (formerly St Vincent) and in 2016 led efforts to build a permanent site for the organization. He served on the Board of Trustees for Belmont College from 2004-2020. A member and past president of Barnesville Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, he also served on the Barnesville and Belmont-Harrison JVS School Boards and chaired several successful school levy campaigns.

As a parishioner of the Assumption Catholic Church he served as a CCD teacher for 25 years as well as a lector and Eucharistic minister.

In addition to his community service, Bill had a zest for life and many interests. He was a music-lover (especially Bob Dylan), a history buff (he knew everything about everything), and loved adventures of all kinds including camping, cruises, road trips, and travel with and to his family. Wherever he went, he relished connecting with people and brought his curiosity to bear on finding the tastiest meals, the most scenic spots, and creating true connection with the people that he came across. In his later years, he took special joy in his role of grandpa and never failed to get his many grandchildren laughing hysterically at his antics.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brother Tom.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 38 years, Alice; three daughters, Aubrey (Larry) Landtiser and Wendy (Eric) Kornell both of Pickerington, Ohio; Laura (Christian) of San Luis Obispo, California; and a son, Todd, of Butte, Montana; grandchildren: Colton and Elly Landtiser; Evy and Charlotte Kornell; Milo and Felix Strauli; siblings: Ronald (Donnis) of Queen Creek, AZ; Elizabeth “Betty Kay" (Paul) Modie of Parkersburg, WV; John (Irene) of Queen Creek, AZ; Dennis (Beth) of Mulege, Mexico; Terrance (Kim) of Albuquerque, NM; Samuel (Kelly) of Beals, ME; and Patrick (Jean) of Pataskala, OH.

Bill donated his body to the West Virginia University Human Registry. Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 2:30pm at the Assumption Catholic Church, 306 West Main Street, Barnesville, Ohio. Due to Coronavirus, there will be a memorial gathering once it is safe to do so, hopefully this summer. Memorial contributions can be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104, the Anti-Defamation League, 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158. or Hospice of Guernsey, P.O. Box 1165, Cambridge, Ohio 43725.

Care has been entrusted to Campbell-Plumly-Milburn Funeral Home, 319 North Chestnut Street, Barnesville, Ohio.

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