David V. Kunka

David Kunka, age 83 from Brimfield, Ohio passed away December 26, 2025 at Altercare Post Acute Rehabilitation Center in Brimfield after a long battle with prostate cancer. Dave was born in Ravenna, Ohio December 7, 1942 to the late Victor and Margaret (Hurst) Kunka.

David retired from Firestone in 2003 after 37 years of service and enjoyed 22 years of retirement. He was an avid fisherman, with his most prized catch being a 9 ¾ pound walleye! He also loved to hunt deer, rabbit, squirrel and trap turtles with his brother Richard. He enjoyed decades of successful gardening. Some of his favorite harvests were a variety of tomatoes that were canned and turned into all kinds of delicious sauces. David also enjoyed making wine, often using his own fruit from trees on the family property.

He loved spending time with friends and family at the cottage that his parents built in 1954 on Middle Bass Island in Lake Erie.

After retirement he enjoyed going on cruises with friends. On those cruises he loved all the food 24/7 and the live entertainment and some movies.

David also enjoyed the monthly Ravenna Twp. Class of 1960’s lunches at various restaurants (especially if they were buffets) and helping with the planning of their reunions over the years.

David loved getting together with the Hurst Cousins and friends for the lunches held every month at various restaurants.

In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by his brother Richard Kunka; and brothers-in-law Richard (Betty Carpenter Hartley) Messersmith, Robert Messersmith and Joseph Creary.

He is survived, and will be missed greatly by his wife of 61 years Judy (Messersmith) Kunka; his children and their spouses, Mark and Kun-Jung (Lee) Kunka, Elaine Kunka and Michelle Schisler, Victor Kunka and Cindy Hinkle, and Beth (Kunka) and Keith Said; grandchildren Brittany Barnard and Brannon Barnard; sisters-in-law, Sandra (Hyde) Kunka, Donna (Messersmith) Creary and Gery (Carpenter) Messersmith; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, December 30, 2025 from 5:00-7:00PM at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 10:00AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 313 N. Depeyster St. Kent, OH 44240, with the Rev. Fr. William Wainio as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Standing Rock Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Patrick Church.

Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.