Henry Kunkler, age 93, of Burkettsville, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on Monday morning, February 26, 2024.

He was born October 15, 1930, in Carthagena to the late Henry & Theresia (Homan) Kunkler. On January 16, 1965, he married Ruth (May) Schoen. Ruth survives at their home in Burkettsville.

Henry is also survived by his nine children: Beverly (Schoen) & Greg Westgerdes of Portland, Ind; Wanda (Schoen) & Craig Dembeck of Brighton, Mich.; Theresa & Ronald Stammen of Marysville; Laurie & Timothy Hein of Portland, Ind.; Nicholas Kunkler & fiancée Della Rockwell of Bryant, Ind.; Brian & Rebecca Kunkler of Portland, Ind.; Henry & Rebecca Kunkler of Celina; Timothy & Dianna Kunkler of Ft. Recovery; and Catherine & Robert Monchamp of Novi, Mich. Also surviving Henry are his 46 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren with two more on the way, as well as sister, Virginia Heitkamp, and in-laws, Howard May, Walter & Irene May, Judy Homan, Charlene May, and LouAnn May, as well as special extended family, Harry & Barb Schoen, Jerry & Barb Schoen, and Judy Sudhoff.

He is preceded in death by infant grandchildren, Lee Ann Stammen and Gabriel Kunkler, and infant great-grandchildren, Christopher Lehe II and Gabriel Muhlenkamp, as well as siblings and in-laws: Ted & Martha Kunkler, Rosemary Olson, Robert & Dorothy Schott, Fritz & Evelyn Kunkler, Ralph Kunkler, Stella & Herb Siefring, Donald & JoAnn Kunkler, Florian Heitkamp, Rita & Jerry Pottkotter, Bud & Rosie May, Jeanette & Ernie Homan, infant Delores May, Ralph & Marilyn May, Donna May, Victor May, Jerome May, and Thomas May.

Henry was a loving husband and father and was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Burkettsville, and he was on the Diocesan Mission Committee. He was a member of The Heritage Club in St. Henry, and the Mercer County Right to Life, by which Henry and Ruth were honored with the Friend of Life Award in 2016. After his retirement Henry volunteered much of his time to the St. Bernard Catholic Church where he was a sacristan and a mass server. Henry was also a volunteer at the Center for Neurological Development in Burkettsville for many years. He enjoyed gardening and taking care of his fruit orchard.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at St. Bernard Church, in Burkettsville. Following the funeral mass, burial will take place in St. Bernard Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, and from 9-10 a.m. on Thursday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Neurological Development in Burkettsville, the Mercer County Right to Life, or EverHeart Hospice.

Condolences for the family may be expressed in person or left at hogenkampfh.com.