Doyle Dunker

Doyle Dunker, age 81, of Weiser passed away Tuesday April 11, 2006 in Weiser. Doyle was born on May 11, 1924 in Hoagland, Nebraska to Festus D. and Helen A. Connelly Dunker. Doyle graduated from Arnold High School in 1943. He married Neola Jean Simons on Feb. 2, 1945. They moved to Idaho in Feb. 1946 and Doyle worked in Ontario, Ore. at Millworks Plant until 1950 when he began farming due to the death of mother and taking over the family farm. He did custom farm work; worked for Werneth Grain and Feed and HJH Implement Dealership. He had a love of land leveling and a great eye for it. In 1989, after the retirement of his wife, they became snowbirds going to Yuma and Wellton, Ariz. up until this winter. Dad never retired until he was forced to because of the loss of his good friend and boss, Jim Montgomery. He drove combine for Jim until 2004 and was looking for work in the season of 2005 and was really disappointed not to find any. He had two heart surgeries; one in 1973 and the second in 1986, but it never slowed him down. He loved hunting and fishing and was a great square dancer, too. John Wayne was one of his heroes. He loved being a father and taking his family on a picnic/fishing day along with the Macombs and the Carpenters, each Sunday after doing the milking, for most of their childhood years. He loved to ice skate and taught his kids and their friends, and his grandkids. He taught his grandkids and great-grandkids how to fish. He loved gardening and taught his great grandson to love it, too. In his grandchildren and great grandchildren is where he found his greatest joy. He was so proud of all of his family. He loved a good practical joke and to tease unmercifully, however he didn´t like to be on the receiving end quite as well. Doyle was preceded in death by his father, Festus; mother, Helen and step-dad, John. He is survived by his wife, Neola of Weiser; son, Arden (Sherry) Dunker of Boise, daughter, Kay (Chip) Drerup of Weiser; sister, Ardis Brown; brother, Marlin (Susan) Dunker all of Weiser; grandson, Aaron (Carrie) Grant of Fruitland; granddaughters, Stacey (Dave) Hollenbaugh and Kristi Dunker all of Boise, Lisa (Jim) Wells of New Plymouth, great-grandsons, Hunter Wells and Jase Grant; great-granddaughters, Hannah Fletcher, Hailee Wells, and Josee Grant; soon to come, Faith and Arden; sisters-in-law, Gwen Vian of North Platte, Neb. and Betty Croghan of Boise; nephews, Steven (Chris) Dunker, Ted (Kimberly) Dunker, Roger Vian, Brad (Linda) Brummett and Bill Brummett, Jr. ; nieces, Sharlene (Mike) Reynolds, Adare (Bob) Grane and Janean (Alan) Lewis; many extended family from Arizona, too many to mentioned but loved and appreciated more than you will ever know. Memorials may be made in Doyle´s memory to the Heart Association or the Weiser Christian Church. Funeral Services will be held Monday April 17, 2006 at 11 a.m. at the Weiser Christian Church. Thomason Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of arrangements.