Willie Dunker

1927 - 05

Willie Dunker joined her departed love ones on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013. Willie Neal Gage Dunker was as unique as her name. She was born May 3, 1927, in San Saba, Texas, to Elizabeth Jane and Thomas Marion Gage. The family later moved to a cotton farm in New Mexico. While working in a cafe in Fort Bliss, Texas, she met Thomas Dunker, an Army soldier. After the war, they reunited, married and moved to West Brownsville, Tom's hometown, where they later raised their children, Thomas Marion and Sandra Elizabeth. Willie was a resourceful homemaker noted for her sewing and baking. She enjoyed bowling, dancing and traveling. She volunteered with Scout troops and the Lutheran Church. She was an avid Steelers fan. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, three sisters and her husband, Tom, who died too soon in 1984. Those remaining to cherish the memories are her son, Thomas and his wife, Judy Dunker, of Apollo; daughter, Sandra Dunker, of Meadville; granddaughter, Kristen Dunker; stepgranddaughter, Julie Kernick, and her children, Tia and Macey; and beloved nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. The family will be forever grateful to the entire staff of William Penn Care Center, where Willie was a resident since 2008. The Heartland Team also contributed to Willie's comfort care. Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park St., Brownsville, where a funeral service will be held at noon Saturday. Interment in Lafayette Memorial Park. http://www.skirpanfuneralhome.com.