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Kenneth L. Dunlap, 88, of Creston, passed from this life surrounded by family Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Greater Regional Health in Creston. Visitation will be Thursday, July 14 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola with family greeting friends from 5 - 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Kale Funeral Home 10 a.m. Friday, July 15, with Pastor Brian McCracken officiating. Interment will follow services at 12:30 p.m. in Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, with military honors provided by the U.S. Air Force.
If you are unable to attend the service in person, a live stream will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Kenneth’s tribute wall beginning at 10 a.m. Friday.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com
Kenneth Lee Dunlap was born May 2, 1934, son of Richard Orville and Mary Jane (Matson) Dunlap in Des Moines, Iowa. He was raised in Des Moines attending Lincoln High school where he competed in both swimming and diving earning state honors. After high school he attended Drake University before enlisting in the military. He served in the Army, Marines and retired from the Air Force after 22 years of service. He was stationed all over the world and served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars.
While serving, he received a Joint Service Commendation medal, Air Force Commendation medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit award, Korean and Vietnam Service medals, National Defense Service medal, United Nations medal, Air Force Longevity medal and a very rare accomplishment of Good Conduct medals from the Army, Marines and Air Force.
While serving in the military he met his wife of 61 years, Bonnie Mae (Drager) Dunlap. The two were married Dec. 3, 1961, in Biloxi, Mississippi. They were blessed with two children: Melissa and Tracy.
After retirement Ken raised cattle and did custom hay baling on their acreage outside of Osceola. The couple later lived in Orient for 17 years and resided in Creston for the last five years. He enjoyed hunting (especially duck), fishing, gardening and working on cars and tractors. He was a skilled guitarist, playing in clubs with friends in his younger days but carried his love of music through his whole life.
He taught his family to work hard but never take life too seriously. Later in life his greatest joy was his grandchildren. From their first steps to cheering them on at high school sporting events to watching them grow into adults, he was always there beaming with pride. He had the same joy when great-grandchildren came along.
Those relatives who preceded him in death were his parents, Richard and Mary Dunlap; sister, Judith Ann Dunlap; stepchildren, Walter Swan and Robin Shaw and parents-in-law, Arthur and Louella Drager.
Ken leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 61 years, Bonnie Dunlap of Creston; daughters: Tracy (Mark) Hodges of Murray and Melissa (Mark Smidt) Catron of Des Moines; step-daughters: Pam Church of Gulfport, Mississippi, and Lou Ann (Bubba) Cox of Brandon, Mississippi; grandchildren, Hunter Decker of Murray, Fisher (Tatum) Decker of Indianola, Haley Hodges of Ankeny, Josh (Tiffani) Catron of Des Moines, Tyler Catron of Des Moines and Christine Catron of Winterset; 14 great-grandchildren as well as other relatives and friends.