Dean Bunch

CANTON, Mo. -- Dean Bunch, 86, of Canton, died at 10:35 a.m. Sunday (May 31, 2009) in Lewis County Nursing Home at Canton. He was born April 3, 1923, in Winigan, the son of Willis Marion and Erva Ann Belzer Bunch. He was raised on the Salt River south of Brashear. On July 5, 1946, he married Wanda Faye Selby in Brashear. He married Virginia Brandes Ayers on Dec. 21, 1980, in Canton. She died on March 11, 2004. Dean was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He served in the 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Reconnaissance and 3rd Platoon. He participated in the Jan. 22, 1944, invasion of Anzio, Italy. On Aug. 15, 1944, his Division was part of Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France. Dean also fought in the Battle of the Bulge and assisted in the liberation of prisoner of war camps. He was awarded the Purple Heart, and three Bronze Battle Stars. The 3rd Division suffered more combat deaths in World War II than any other U.S. Divisions, and Dean was one of only two survivors left from his platoon after the invasion of Europe was complete. Dean was a farmer in Lewis County. He was a past president of the Canton Eagles Club, a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He was an active member of the Democrat Party and enjoyed campaigning for Democrat candidates. Dean was active in tractor restoration and enjoyed playing music and gardening. Survivors include four children, Gary Bunch and wife, Patti, of Canton, Gloria Burbridge and fiance, Gary Townsend of LaGrange, Sybil Bradley and husband, Gerald, Longwood, Fla., and W. Kent Ayers and wife, Teri, of Fowler; 13 grandchildren, David Burbridge and wife, Teresa, of LaGrange, Gary Dean Bunch II and wife, Betty, of Spotsylviania, Va., John Bunch and wife, Roni, of St. Joseph, Mich., Arron Burbridge and wife, Shelly, of Canton, Julie Robertson and husband, Tad, of San Antonio, Texas, Ashley Bunch and wife, Kristie, of Canton, Gena Hills and husband, Marty, of LaGrange, Bentley Bunch of St. Louis, Tara Bunch and her fiance, Justin Turner, of Canton, and Brian and Kristin Ayers, both of Fowler; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Virginia, he was preceded in death by ten brothers and one sister. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home in Quincy with the Rev. Ken Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Quincy Memorial Park. VISITATION: 9-11 a.m. in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, Quincy. MEMORIALS: American Legion, VFW, or a charity of the donor's choice. ARRANGEMENTS: Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, Quincy. WEB SITE: www.hansenspear.com. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.