Von Eugene Bunch, 78, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Thursday (June 21, 2012) at his home under the care of Hospice Compassus.

The son of Victor and Lona (Ledford) Bunch, he was born March 21, 1934 in Kirksville, Missouri. On March 16, 1957 in Hernando, Mississippi, Von was united in marriage to Barbara V. Acton.

Von is survived by his wife Barbara of fifty-five years; one son and daughter-in-law, Bryan and Lorrie Bunch of LaPorte, TX; one daughter Brenda Kennedy of Kirksville, MO; one sister, Charlena Davidson of Desloge, MO; five grandchildren, Jammiey Bunch, Brandon Bunch and wife Abby, Lauren Bright and husband Xavier, Emily Bunch and Robert Kennedy and two great-granddaughters, Avyre Bunch and MacKenzie Bunch.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Robert Wayne Bunch and Michael D. Bunch; one brother, Billy Lee Bunch and one nephew, Edward “Butch” Bunch.

Von was a graduate of Unionville High School with the Class of 1953. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and the U.N. Service Medal. After being honorably discharged in 1955, Von worked several years as a welder at Parsons Manufacturing Company in Newton, Iowa until moving to Kirksville, Missouri, in 1966. At that time he went to work for Kewanne Company as a welder until advancing to foreman and last as a supervisor until it closed in 1981. Von then purchased and operated the Pit Stop several years. He was last employed as an electrician for Fluor Daniels Construction Company until retiring in 1998.

Von enjoyed deer hunting with family and friends and loved working on cars.

It was Von’s wish to be cremated and a memorial service in his memory will be held 7:00 p.m., Thursday (June 28, 2012) with family receiving friends one hour before the service in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Von Bunch may be made to the Fugate Cemetery. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.