GARWIN- Alvin "Al" Bunger, 79, of Garwin, passed away Wednesday, August 3, 2011, at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral Services will be held Monday, August 8, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Chaplain Harlan Nuss officiating. Interment will follow at Turner Cemetery in rural Garwin. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 7, 2011 from 2-5 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Alvin was born on February 20, 1932, in Rochelle, Illinois, the son of Elmer and Marian (Meister) Bunger.
On May 10, 1953, he was united in marriage to Mardella Oberhelman in Manson, Iowa.
He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from May 27, 1953 until May 27, 1955.
Al was a self-employed carpenter and contractor. He was also an auctioneer for several years. Al liked horses, the outdoors, and his dog Ruby. He enjoyed hunting and got his last deer in December of 2010. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Al was a member of the NRA, Clutier American Legion and Farm Bureau.
Preceding him in death were his parents; one brother, Don Bunger; his sister-in-law, Joann Bunger; and his parents-in-law, John and Blanche Oberhelman.
Al will be missed by his wife of fifty-eight years, Mardella of Garwin; three children, Becky (Denny) Vitek of Forest City, Iowa, Deb (Doug) Stamp of Garwin, and Kevin (Jennifer Reed) Bunger of Toledo; four grandchildren, Brian Vitek, Stacy (Paul) Hutchings, Chris Stamp and Chad Stamp; one great-grandson, Caden Vitek; one sister, Shirley (Bob) Burhenn of Rochelle, IL; his brother-in-law, Richard (Marilyn) Oberhelman of Manson; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be directed to Iowa River Hospice.