Donald Kunkel, 84, of rural Kieler, WI, passed away peacefully, on Saturday, October 24, 2015, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A/M, on Thursday, October 29, 2015, at the Immaculate Conception Church, in Kieler, WI, with Fr. Bernard Rott, Fr. Francis Steffen, Fr. Tom McAndrew, and Deacon Larry Tranel concelebrating. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with military honors accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League.

Visitation will be from 3 P/M to 8 P/M, on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at the Immaculate Conception Church Parish Center in Kieler, where the parish rosary will be recited at 2:45 P/M. Visitation will also be held from 9:15 A/M to 10:15 A/M, on Thursday, at the church.

The Miller Funeral Home, in East Dubuque, IL, is in charge of arrangements.

Donald was born on January 17, 1931, in Kieler, WI, the son of Kilian and Angeline (Roth) Kunkel. Donald graduated from Loras Academy, Dubuque, IA. He then served as a Marine during the Korean War. He was selected for the Honor Flight in 2014. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Parish and the Catholic Knights.

He married Dorothy Jaeger, on May 29, 1957, in Balltown, IA, and they farmed together in Kieler. They were blessed with ten (10) children. Donald's greatest pride was his family and especially enjoyed spending the holidays with his family at his home. Donald was a faithful and devoted husband and father. He valued his faith and his family and enjoyed being a farmer. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren, and they looked forward to getting a tractor ride from grandpa! Donald always thought of others first. His unselfish, caring and faith-filled life was an inspiration to us all.

He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Donald is survived by his wife, Dorothy Kunkel; his ten (10) children, Debbie (Daryl) Hinderman, Jane (Mark) Dietzel, Mary Kay (Fred) Kieler, Karen (Dan) Keeney, Jim Kunkel, Laurie (Vic) Bowden, Joe (Tammy) Kunkel, Jeff (Kathy) Kunkel, Gary (Julie) Kunkel, and Joni (Kevin) Dement. Also surviving are his thirty-one (31) grandchildren; fourteen (14) great-grandchildren; and two (2) great-grandchildren on the way.

He is also survived by his brothers, Ralph (Darlene) Kunkel, John (Pat) Kunkel, and Floyd (Darlene) Kunkel; his sisters-in-law, Marie Kunkel, Rose Ann Kunkel, Nancy Brimeyer, Shirley (Norbert) Kress, Phyllis (Jim) Lahey, and Carol (Jack) Specht; a brother-in-law, Leon (Connie) Jaeger; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kilian and Angeline Kunkel; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, William and Lucille Jaeger; his brothers, Kenny Kunkel and Gerry Kunkel; his sisters, Rita Hornbeck, and Marion Vaassen; his brothers-in-law, Gilbert Vaassen and Herbert Brimeyer; his nieces, Amy Kunkel, Linda Kunkel, and Julie Hasken; and his nephews, Marty Vaassen and Tim Kunkel.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com