Obituary for Ricky Dean Bunker
BUNKER, RICKY DEAN, age 61, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Friday, December 11, 2020, at his home. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to HATS of Isabella County, 1105 S. Isabella Road, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858.
Rick was born November 21, 1959, in Mt. Pleasant, the son of Donald and Winifred (Burns) Bunker. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School with the class of 1978. Rick worked for the Operating Engineers #324 for the past 30 years. He married Susan Garthwaite in Marquette, Michigan on September 4, 1998. Rick had a passion for racing, building, and restoring snowmobiles; he and his brother began Bunker Brothers Racing in 1990, winning a couple of world championships. He was a member of Michigan Snowmobile Drag Racing Association. Rick was an avid hunter and enjoyed time with his dad and brother at the hunting property. He also liked to go antiquing and fishing, especially time on the Betsie River. Rick was always there to help family or friends.
Rick is survived by his wife Susan Bunker of Mt. Pleasant; parents Don and Winifred Bunker of Mt. Pleasant; daughters Traie Kroll and Erin Kroll, both of Chicago; grandson Felix; brother Lynn (Kelly) Bunker of Midland; father-in-law Richard Garthwaite of Florida; sister-in-law Kathy (Thomas) Hoogterp of Ingedine; nieces Shelby Bunker of Michigan and Danielle Cameron; nephews Nicholas Bowers of Mt. Pleasant and Jacob (Michelle) Hoogterp of Rochester Hills; and Ricks best four-legged friend Gus.
Rick was preceded in death by his mother-in-law Shirley Garthwaite and niece Jonel Hoogterp.
Rick was born November 21, 1959, in Mt. Pleasant, the son of Donald and Winifred (Burns) Bunker. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School with the class of 1978. Rick worked for the Operating Engineers #324 for the past 30 years. He married Susan Garthwaite in Marquette, Michigan on September 4, 1998. Rick had a passion for racing, building, and restoring snowmobiles; he and his brother began Bunker Brothers Racing in 1990, winning a couple of world championships. He was a member of Michigan Snowmobile Drag Racing Association. Rick was an avid hunter and enjoyed time with his dad and brother at the hunting property. He also liked to go antiquing and fishing, especially time on the Betsie River. Rick was always there to help family or friends.
Rick is survived by his wife Susan Bunker of Mt. Pleasant; parents Don and Winifred Bunker of Mt. Pleasant; daughters Traie Kroll and Erin Kroll, both of Chicago; grandson Felix; brother Lynn (Kelly) Bunker of Midland; father-in-law Richard Garthwaite of Florida; sister-in-law Kathy (Thomas) Hoogterp of Ingedine; nieces Shelby Bunker of Michigan and Danielle Cameron; nephews Nicholas Bowers of Mt. Pleasant and Jacob (Michelle) Hoogterp of Rochester Hills; and Ricks best four-legged friend Gus.
Rick was preceded in death by his mother-in-law Shirley Garthwaite and niece Jonel Hoogterp.