Dennis C. Bunte

Dennis “Denny” Clarence Bunte was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, shortly following his seventy-first birthday. Dennis was born November 8, 1952, the youngest child of Clarence and Ruth (nee Wilkening) Bunte, in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Dennis was a lifelong resident of Beecher, Illinois, where he lived his entire life on the Bunte family farm. He was baptized (1952) and confirmed (1966) at St. Luke United Church of Christ in Beecher, Illinois. He graduated from Beecher Elementary School (1966) and Beecher High School (1970). In his youth, Dennis could often be found playing basketball at Beecher High School or softball at Firemen’s Park, where he met the love of his life, Kay Lynn Wehling. On February 2, 1974, he married Kay at Zion Lutheran Church in Beecher, Illinois. Their union was blessed with two children, Mandy Kay Bunte and Marty Alan Bunte. Dennis was preceded in death by his son, Marty; his parents, Clarence and Ruth; his father-in-law, Richard H. Wehling; his brother-in-law, Rodney Burdick; and four nieces and nephews. Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Kay; his devoted daughter, Mandy; son-in-law, John Gunning; his three beloved grandchildren, Mardi Kailyn (15), Nora Claire (13) and Mollie Elizabeth (11) Gunning; his sisters, Patricia Burdick and Diane (Dave) Iten; his mother-in-law, Beverly Wehling; his siblings-in-law, David and Julia (nee Wehling) Mack, Richard W. and Sharon (nee Berg) Wehling, and Robert and Julie (nee Lohman) Wehling; and a multitude of nieces and nephews. He leaves behind countless others who cherished his loyal friendship. Dennis took pride in being a third-generation farmer, cultivating the family farm side-by-side with his father, Clarence. He was also a Washington Township employee for 15 years following his graduation from high school. Dennis later went to work at Wehling Well Works and ultimately retired from Layne Western after more than 25 years as a mechanic. During that same time, Dennis founded Bunte Paint and Repair and worked joyfully alongside his son, Marty, for many years. Following his retirement in 2013, Dennis found new ways to pass the time, including spending countless hours with his cherished grandchildren, amassing and watching an impressive movie collection, and acquiring, selling, and trading coins and collectible toys. Dennis was happiest when playing or working alongside his family and friends, whether sharing his love for farming, his extensive automotive knowledge, his passion for sports, especially basketball, softball, or sand volleyball, or his enthusiasm for buying/selling collectibles. This was most evident in recent years as he shared his love for farming and a good bargain with his grandchildren, who never missed out on an opportunity to combine with him or host a garage sale in the shed. All who knew him best will miss him dearly and are sad to see him go, but know he is happy to be reunited in eternal peace with his son, Marty. A visitation and funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Peace Lutheran Church, 640 Oak Park Avenue, Beecher, Illinois, 60401. Visitation will precede the service from 9am-12pm, followed by a Christian funeral at 12pm. A luncheon will be served on site immediately following the service. Dennis’ body has been donated to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois. As such, there will be no internment. Honorary pall bearers include Nick Martakis, Dave Meyer, Les Peters, Max Schmidt, and Randy Schmidt.