Kenneth William Bunker

Kenneth (Ken) William Bunker, age 57, of Arthur, Illinois passed away peacefully in his home on April 7th, 2026 with his family by his side. He leaves behind his loving and overly patient wife of 36.5 years, Jill Bunker, two children, Tori (Rory) Ellis and Tyler (Cheyenne) Bunker, and 6 grandchildren (Gracelyn Bunker, Elijah Bunker, Nora Ellis, Kolton Bunker, Cameron Bunker, and Hallie Ellis) who he loved beyond measure.

Ken was preceded in death by some of the most hilarious and loving family members one could ever ask for. Among them are his mother, who held a very special place in his heart, Vietta Bunker (Leach) who loved herself a “honkey tonk” and the Pizza Hut buffet (a love which she passed down to Ken himself).

Ken graduated from Mazon-Verona-Kinsman High School in 1986 and met and married the absolute love of his life (on most days), Jill Bunker (Cockream), in September of 1989. They welcomed their first child, Tori (a precious gift) in 1991 and then a decent follow-up came around in 1995 (Tyler).

In all seriousness, his children (and grandchildren) were his greatest blessings, and he was incredibly proud of each and every single one of them.

Ken held many titles over the years: he climbed the ranks and went from a welder up to a safety manager at Caterpillar in Joliet, Illinois. He was a baseball coach for his son Tyler’s team during his elementary and middle school years and loved teaching young kids the basics of the game. (Side note: Go Cubbies! Ken loved schooling people on Facebook in the Cubs groups, and the Cubbies were his favorite team. He was an MVK school board member that enjoyed getting into a good debate or two over the years (he was always right, though). He was a security guard at the Chicagoland Speedway during a few race seasons (he even used the restroom next to Richard Petty, a story he loved to reminisce on). Ken was also a first responder who loved serving others. Most recently, he held the title of Pastor of the First Christian Church of Arcola.

Faith was always incredibly important to Ken. Despite his long battle with renal cell carcinoma, his faith in the Lord never wavered. He told everyone he wasn’t afraid of dying because he knew where he’d be going…he would just miss his family. Ken was an incredibly God-fearing man who loved listening to sermons and hymns and thoroughly enjoyed writing his sermons and preaching them on Sunday mornings to his congregation in Arcola. The man certainly loved to chat, as all who knew him can attest to, so he truly found his calling when he was able to combine his love of Jesus and his love of talking to every single person to walk the earth.

In his free time, Ken loved to visit Panama City Beach, Florida with his wife. They had wonderful times discovering new restaurants and walking on the beach together. Ken had a love of fishing, something he’d done his entire life any chance he had. He loved visiting Minnesota and Wisconsin and going out on the boat for hours, even when the fish weren’t biting. Along with his love of the outdoors, he was (albeit a little oddly) obsessed with birds and knew all the sounds every single bird made…and could mimic said sounds. He was lovingly referred to as Papa Duck to the grandkids because he was always quacking at his grandbabies.

All who knew Ken can attest to the fact that he was one of the kindest and gentlest souls. He genuinely cared about all people and was a walking epitome of “he’d give the shirt off his back for anyone.” Our world lost one of the great ones on April 7th, 2026. He will be terribly missed by all who knew him.

Among the survivors listed above, Ken leaves behind a beloved mother-in-law who referred to him as “her favorite son-in-law” (he was her only son in law), Patricia Cockream, his brother Kevin (Alexandra) and nephew Joshua Bunker, his father (Ken Bunker), his brother-in-law Jay (Kandi) Cockream, loving friend and cousin Tina (Bill) Atkinson, and many other family members, close friends, and church members who he’d grown very close to and cared deeply for.

Ken’s family would like to say a special thank you to SBL Hospice for their efforts in keeping him comfortable during his final days earth-side, as well as to his many visitors who came by to check in on him once he got home.

Ken passed away knowing everything, as per usual, but especially the following: Elvis was king, John Wayne was the best actor of his generation, his family loved him beyond comprehension, and he was going home to the Lord and would one day reunite with his family in Heaven. He left behind a legacy of love that will forever be remembered and is the strongest person we’ve ever known. We are so incredibly proud of him.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Arthur United Methodist Church, 128 East Illinois Street, Arthur, with Pastor Bruce Weiman officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Arthur Cemetery.

Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service at the church. 

The family requests that memorials be made to the Arthur United Methodist Church or the First Christian Church of Arcola.

Shrader Funeral Home, 431 South Vine Street, Arthur is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com