Gaylen “Buck” Edward Kunkle, 69, of Oelwein passed away on Tuesday February 21, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Sunday February 26, 2017 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am on Monday February 27, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church in Hazleton with Pastor Duane Olsen officiating, and visitation there from 10:00 to 11:00 am. A memorial fund has been established.

Buck was born October 17, 1947 in Oelwein, Iowa the son of Keith Fred and Lois Marie (Hannamann) Kunkle. He grew up in rural Hazleton,  graduating from Oelwein High School with the class of 1965.  He later received his Associates Degree as Paralegal from American Institute of Commerce of Cedar Falls in 1992. Buck farmed early in his life and later worked as an independent contractor for the Oelwein Daily Register. He was united in marriage with Deborah “Deb” Ash on August 25, 1979 at the Christ United Presbyterian Church in Oelwein.  He was a member and an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Hazleton. Throughout his life when Buck wasn’t working he enjoying baseball, softball, golf, bowling, playing cards, helping coach Kings Knights or a nice long ride in the country enjoying the scenery, but his best enjoyment was being with his friends and family. Buck touched many lives and will be missed by all who knew him, especially his loving family.

Left to celebrate Buck’s life are his wife, Deb of Oelwein; his two daughters, Jamesetta “Zetta” (Jen Ferstl) Fousek of Madison, WI and Kerrie (Lori Heitter)  Kunkle of Oelwein; two grandchildren, Grace and Eve Ferstl; a brother, Gordon (Mary Jo) Kunkle of Hazleton; two sisters, Sue Baldwin of Waterloo and Kathryn Knowles of Charlotte, NC; brother-in-law, Dick Wihlm of Marble Rock; two sisters-in-law, Cryss Hill of Coon Rapids, MN and Robbie Juchem of Oelwein; nieces and nephews, Jammi Welter, Brenda Rushing, Betsy Borrett, Nancy Thompson, Cynthia Siemasko, Jolli Wihlm, Shadi Norby, Lynsey Steil, Scott Knowles, Jeff Baldwin, Trampus Wihlm, Jason Kunkle, Keith (Darlene) Juchem, Jennifer (Jordan Smothers) Juchem and Riley Hill. He was preceded in death by his parents Keith and Lois; two sisters, Margie “Micki” Wihlm and Mary Ann Kunkle;  his step mother, Norma Kunkle; and a niece, Diane Baldwin.