Wesley Shunkwiler

Fairfield resident, Wesley "Sonny" Duane Shunkwiler, 88, passed away Monday, December 5, 2016 at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, Nebraska.

Services will be Saturday, December 10, 2016; 10:30 A.M. at Fairfield Community Presbyterian Church, Fairfield, with Pastor Dale Phillips officiating. Burial with military rites by Fairfield American Legion Post Lewis-Trobough will be in Fairfield Cemetery, Fairfield. Memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date. Visitation will be Friday, December 9, 2016; 9:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. with the family present 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home in Hastings and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Wesley was born April 25, 1928 to Wesley Zenus Shunkwiler and Alvera Marie (Wallenberg) Shunkwiler at their home in Fairfield, Nebraska. The oldest of 8 children, he graduated from Fairfield High School in 1946. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and served from February, 1951 to February, 1953. He started at Fort Riley, Kansas but spent most of his time at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. While in the service, he was the mess hall supervisor and was a pitcher on their baseball team. Wesley loved all kinds of sports, especially baseball. He loved his grandchildren and liked to attend their games and activities.

Over the years he had many jobs. He worked on the railroad, drove a gravel truck for Deweese Sand & Gravel, worked at Leverage Tools, mowed weeds along the roadside for Clay County Highway Department and drove the school bus for Sandy Creek School.

He met and married Maxine Heftie of Stockham on December 28, 1962 at EUB Church in Aurora, Nebraska.

Wesley was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Curtis and David; sisters-in-law, Ann Shunkwiler and Arlyce Heftie; brother-in-law, Merlin Neilson; nephews, Dale Heftie and Joshua Heftie; and niece, Deb Fogo.

SURVIVORS:
Wife of 53 years:
Maxine (Heftie) Shunkwiler - Fairfield, NE
Children:
Darrell Shunkwiler - Fairfield, NE
Lisa (Brandon) Hunnicutt - Giltner, NE
Lois (Mervin) George - Bellwood, IL
Grandchildren:
Kinsley, Payton, Bréley, Truett, Fallon, Breslyn, Vashti Hunnicutt
Keoni George
Brothers:
Kenneth Shunkwiler - Lincoln, NE
Keith Shunkwiler - Grand Island, NE
William Shunkwiler - Grove, OK
Sisters:
Marlene Neilson - Mankato, KS
Linda (Roger) Herbek - Lawrence, NE
Sisters-in-Law:
Dell Shunkwiler - Prosper, TX
Linda Shunkwiler - Grand Island, NE
Brothers-in-Law & Sisters-in-Law:
Delbert & Karen Heftie - Wisner, NE
Clifford & Dotti Heftie - Clay Center, NE
Ronald Heftie - Plattsburgh, NY
Richard & Cheryl Heftie - Stockham, NE
Dennis & Susan Heftie - Houston, TX
Cousin & Spouse:
Gary & Bonnie Hoyt - Corpus Christi, TX
Numerous Nieces and Nephews