Obituary for Ken Schunke

Kenderick C. Schunke, age 42, Vesper, passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024, following a motorcycle accident.

A Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Buchanan / Rembs Funeral Home, Pittsville, where a gathering for family and friends will be from 9:00 am until 11:00. The service will be streamed online at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes. After the service, military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 153 of Pittsville and a reception will follow at the American Legion Club House, Pittsville.

Kenderick was born on October 18, 1981, in Fort Carson, CO, to Carl and Geraldine (Pierce) Schunke. He was a 2000 graduate of Auburndale High School. He also received double bachelor’s degrees from Phoenix University. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from August 29, 2002, until his honorable discharge on September 24, 2011. He served two tours in Iraq and was the first battalion there. He was a drill sergeant instructor and led 280 missions, always being the first to lead. He was awarded many ribbons, including, Iraq Campaign medal with two campaign stars, Meritorious Service medal, Army Commendation medal, Army Achievement medal, Army Good Conduct medal, National Defense Service medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal.

He married Nicole Berkholtz on August 29, 2015 in Powers Bluff, Arpin.

After returning to the states, Ken was employed at Elm Lake Cranberry Company from 2012 until 2018. At the present time he owned and operated Hemlock Meadows LLC Construction Company.

Ken enjoyed his Bronco, was a “gearhead” and loved to tinker. He was willing to drop everything without hesitation to help anyone in need. He always made everyone feel welcome with his ear-to-ear smile and laughter. He faithfully did the 22 Pushup Challenge daily, an activity involving pressing out twenty-two pushups to promote awareness for veteran suicide prevention along with honoring military service members and veterans.

He is survived by his wife, Nicole, his children, Jesse, Abel, and Jade Schunke, and his parents, Carl Schunke and Geraldine Schunke. He is also survived by siblings, Frederick (Daveena) Schunke, Karl “Duke” Schunke and Christina Schunke. He is further survived by his grandmother, Geraldine Pierce, parents-in-law, Leroy and Jackie Berkholtz, a sister-in-law, Kelly Berkholtz and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He will be missed by his best friends, Owen Hilgart, Jesse Richardson, and David Harrison. He was honored to have comrades Russell Cleveland and Ryan Frost stand guard by him at his passing.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, several great aunts and uncles, and numerous military comrades.

Memorials may be designated in his name to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.