JOSEPH MICHAEL VUNK
EDMESTON – Joseph Michael Vunk, 38 years old of Edmeston, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 21, 2016 in New Berlin, NY.
He was born in Cooperstown on December 3, 1977 son of John (Jack) and Donna (Wilcox) Vunk.
His childhood was spent in the Edmeston area where he attended and graduated from Edmeston Central School. He began working at Preferred Mutual Insurance Company during his senior year in school and continued there for 20 years as the Support Services Technician.
Joe’s foremost passions in life were his uncompromised love for his family, all forms of athletics and being an avid outdoorsman. Joe always felt that family comes first. He was a hands-on father, a loving husband, a helpful son to his parents, a supportive brother to his siblings, and an uncle who would spend countless hours playing with his nieces and nephews. Joe was a friend to everyone he met and he viewed his friends as an extension of his family.
When not spending time with his family and friends, he served as a director of Unadilla Valley Little League Softball in addition to coaching baseball, indoor and outdoor soccer and basketball. Joe touched many lives as a coach helping kids in the community learn to play sports. In honor of his love for sports everyone is invited to wear either, Syracuse Orangeman, Unadilla Valley or Edmeston gear for his services.
He is survived by his fiancé, JenaLee Lawson, and children Maddy Vunk and Natalye Menard.
Besides his parents, he leaves two brothers; Jeremy and April Vunk and their children; Jack and Julia, Kristopher Vunk and Jess Allen and their children; Lillie, Makaylie and Hunter and one sister; Kari and Zeno Lantos and their children; Alex and Max. He is also survived by his fiance’s mother, Carol Lawson, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was pre-deceased by his fiance’s father, David Lawson.
Calling hours for Joe will take place at the Dakin Funeral Home LP in New Berlin on Tuesday Jan. 26, 2016 from 12:00-3:00 PM followed by the funeral service at 4:00 PM. Pastor Robert Decker of the First Baptist Church in South New Berlin will officiate.
Memorial donations may be made to a trust fund for his children and can be sent to Mary Ann Vunk, 9 Vunk Ave., Edmeston, NY 13335.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dakinfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by the Dakin Funeral Home, LP, New Berlin, New York.