Wade Palmer Gunnels, 68, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday (May 9, 2014) at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

The son of William Pearl and Mollie Lissie (Rogers) Gunnels, he was born August 6, 1945 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. On June 26, 1966, Wade was united in marriage to Bobby June Hamilton who preceded him in death on July 30, 2007. He was also preceded in death by his parents.

Wade is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Stephen “Brad” and Pam Gunnels of Kirksville, MO; one daughter, Heather Gunnels of Kirksville, MO; one brother and sister-in-law, Russell and Karen Gunnels of Kirksville, MO; one sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Bryan Thomas of LaPlata, MO; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Wade attended school in Gifford and was a graduate from LaPlata High School. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and after receiving an honorable discharge, returned home. Wade was employed a number of years at Donaldson’s. He then worked in construction before opening up a repair shop in Kirksville. Wade was last employed at Home Depot. No matter where he worked, Wade always enjoyed what he was doing.

Wade was a very devoted father and grandfather and loved his time spent with his grandchildren.

He was a member of the Gifford Christian Church.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday (May 14, 2014) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Alan Coonfield officiating. Interment will follow the service at Lutz Cemetery west of Youngstown, Missouri.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday (May 14, 2014) for one hour before the service in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Greg Durflinger, Corey Nichols, Bill Warren, Kelly Gunnels, Tim Acton and Robert Caler. Honorary pallbearers will be Chuck Rice, Bud Niccum and Bobby Hecke.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Wade Gunnels Memorial Fund. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.