Ed Bunnell

Ed Bunnell was a devoted husband, father, and grandpa who regarded his family as his greatest achievement. He was a generous man, always available to help a friend. With his quick sense of humor he always knew how to rouse a laugh. Ed was the happiest when he was with his family, and in their warm company a familiar smile always brimmed over his lips.

Following the end of the Second World War, thousands of young soldiers returned to their civilian lives back home. They started families of their own, and the Baby Boom was soon underway. In Pontiac, Michigan, Mr. Bunnell and his wife were among the many expecting parents. On July 11, 1945 they were blessed with the birth of their son Ed. The third of five children, Ed grew up in Pontiac with the company of his sisters Pearlie, Cynthia and Betty Ann and his brother Jimmy.

At the age of nineteen Ed met the love of his life, an attractive young woman named Linda Lone. They fell in love and tied the knot on July 4, 1964. This was the first chapter of a beautiful relationship that lasted forty-three years. Ed and Linda shared many interests, especially traveling and casinos. They enjoyed going to Las Vegas and Sault Ste. Marie to visit the casinos and see a different part of the country.

Ed and Linda were blessed with two wonderful sons, Edward and Jimmy. Ed was a devoted father who always made time for his children. He enjoyed taking his sons to the lake for an afternoon of fishing and he also coached their little league teams. As they grew older he took them into the woods to learn how to hunt. Ed was a strict but loving father, and he always had the best of intentions.

Christmas was Ed’s favorite time of the year. It was more than a holiday: it was the time of the year when his entire family gathered under a single roof. He was a generous man, and he worked hard to make this holiday special for less privileged families. Throughout the year he bought toys to donate to the Sundowners Club for Toys for Tots and to the YWCA Womens Abuse Center, with a view toward making Christmas a memorable occasion for everyone.

Family was always the center of Ed’s life. He remained close to his sisters throughout the years, and he always enjoyed visiting them on special occasions. In his later years he was thrilled to see his family grow with the blessing of grandchildren. Ed treasured all the time that he spent with the youngest members of his family. Although his sons lived in different parts of the country, he gladly made the effort to visit them.

Ed provided for his family through his job at Carleton Equipment. He enjoyed working for the owners, Phil Wurtzel and Howard Simmons. They treated him like family, and were very understanding when his health began to decline. Throughout his sickness, Phil and Howard and their families were very supportive. He was extremely grateful for their kindness and the support of the entire Carleton staff. Ed had always said that the best thing about working for Phil and Howard was that they always took care of their people.

Ed devoted his free time to a variety of hobbies. He was a big fan of NASCAR, always rooting for Kurt Bush. He frequently visited the Michigan International Speedway and Daytona to attend the races, which he also enjoyed watching them on the television. He liked to golf at Old Mill with his friend Ken Mooney, and he enjoyed hunting with his buddy Jeff Brady. Ed loved cars, and he enjoyed restoring a ’57 Chevy with his friend Dean Eggleston. His other favorite pastimes were fishing and watching NASCAR.

As Ed’s health began to decline, he eagerly looked forward to his retirement at the age of sixty-two. He was diagnosed with cancer, which caused him to stop working in January of 2007. Despite his prognosis, Ed continued to enjoy life and live each day to the fullest. In July of the same year, he purchased a pontoon boat. He always loved the water, and it had been many years since he’d owned a boat. He kept the pontoon at Fisher Lake, where his good friends Edard and Sharon English owned a dock. From the stern of his boat he could travel the lake, enjoying the solace of the countryside amid the company of his good friends.

Ed will be remembered for his great sense of humor and his willingness to help anyone in need. He was a generous man with a kind heart. He knew that his life was filled with blessings, and each day he tried to share his happiness with the many people he loved. Among his family and friends, he will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.

Ed died at Borgess Medical Center on Wednesday, August 1, 2007. Learn more about Ed, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends Saturday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG ,Vicksburg, 409 S Main. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Sunday at the same location. Members of Ed’s family include his wife Linda, 2 sons: Edward and his wife Teresa Bunnell and Master Sergeant Jimmy Bunnell and his wife Robin. Other members of his family include his 2 grandchildren David and Melissa, and 2 sisters: Cynthia Kopesky and Betty Ann Winter and several dear friends that he made over his life. Please visit Ed’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may archive a favorite memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to The Victory Junction Gang Camp which is a NASCAR camp for sick children.