Wilbur Dunker

Wilbur Dunker, age 86, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center.
 
Born on December 24, 1938, to Joe and Lavonia Dunker in Cairo, Illinois, he was the fourth boy of 7 children. He attended school in Cairo and graduated from High School in 1956. He loved sports and played football, baseball, and basketball for Cairo High School. He attended SIU Carbondale and was a member of the ROTC Singing Squadron, mainly because he did not want to march.
 
Wilbur was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. It was a tradition with the Dunker men. He and two of his sons would go back and forth via text about how good or bad the Cards were playing, something he looked forward to during every game. His favorite player was Stan “The Man” Musial, whom he was fortunate enough to get to see play. Wilbur also enjoyed watching UK basketball and golfing with his wife.
 
Wilbur loved his church, Bethel Christian, and his Sunday School class. He enjoyed when he and the other men would rehash ballgames or try to solve all the world's problems. His special buddy, Kyle, made it his mission to help Wilbur with his coffee and donuts. As his health started to decline, Kyle made sure Wilbur was always comfortable and had everything he needed. One of Wilbur’s greatest life achievements was when he gave his life to Christ on January 7, 2023, and was then baptized on February 6, 2023.
 
He worked for an engineering and architectural firm in Paducah for several years. He eventually began his own consulting business, Dunker Consultants. He enjoyed working and meeting people and did so until his retirement in September of this year at the age of 86.
 
Wilbur was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his family, but they know that he is now Home.
 
Wilbur is survived by his wife of 65 years, Peggy Dunker; three sons, Tony Dunker (Holly) of Barlow, Mike Dunker (Tammy) of Kevil, Brad Dunker (Sherry) of Wilmington, North Carolina; one brother, Jack Dunker of Belknap, Illinois; three sisters, Kay Neistrath (Nick) of America, Illinois, Mary Jane Edmonds (Randy) of Anna, Illinois, Judy Wadley of Mounds, Illinois; grandchildren, Luke Dunker (Kevyn Ann), Erica Allen (Jake), Tyler Dunker(Lauren), Jake Dunker, Savannah Maynard (Zack), Colby Dunker, Dayna Dunker (fiancé, Luke White), Brandon Spittler (Toni); great-grandchildren, Reese, Silas, Rivers, Memphis, Briar, Crew, Sutton and Banks.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Joe Dunker, Carl Dunker, and sister, Shirley Dunker.
 
Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Pastor Brad Dunker, Rev. Nate Hillebrand and Rev. Keith Tilford officiating.
 
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
 
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Bethel Christian Church, 12245 Woodville Rd, Kevil, KY 42053 or Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center, 1530 Lone Oak Rd. Paducah, Kentucky 42003.
 
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.