Brother Howard L. Strunk

Brother Howard L. Strunk Marion—Brother Howard L. Strunk, 76 of Marion, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 8:30 AM on Thursday, January 3, 2013 with his wife, Patsy by his side. Funeral services for Brother Strunk will be held at Blue Funeral Home in Marion on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 1:30 PM with Reverends Lee Wollard and Danny Greer officiating. Interment will follow in Coal Bank Springs Cemetery, which is east of Marion. A time of gathering for family and friends will be on Saturday, January 5, 2013 from 5-8 PM at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to either Southern Illinois Christian Conference Youth Camp or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL, 62959. Howard was born in Johnston City to Oscar & Nancy (Taylor) Strunk on Monday, February 17, 1936. He married the love of his life, Patsy Dunaway in Hernando, MS on Friday, November 26, 1954. They had recently celebrated 58 years together. Brother Strunk is survived by his wife, Patsy of Marion; children, Debbie & R.E. Bridges, Randy & Cathy Strunk, Howie & Lori Strunk, Cindy & Jim Sweeney and Kim & Craig Francis; grandchildren, Michael & Alicia Prichett, Amy Delahunt, Christy & Danny Greer, Randy Lee & Danielle Strunk, Ryan & Renee Strunk, Larry & Angie Strunk, Samantha & Marcus Woodard, Tabitha Strunk, Howard “Trey” Strunk III, Jason Byers, Jessica & Nick DePoincy, Keara Sweeney, Kyle Sweeney, Gabe Francis and Paige Francis; great-grandchildren, Austin Prichett, Allison Delahunt, Skylar Greer, Christian Greer, Larry Strunk, Jr., Noah Strunk, Allison Woodard, Sophia DePoincy and Alexander DePoincy; siblings, Oscar J. Strunk, Mimoth Johnson, Pauline Carter and Virgil Strunk. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar & Nancy and sisters, Tempa Watkins, Mary Bearden and Bobbie Miner. Mr. Strunk was a retired painter, having owned Howard Strunk Painting. Most recently he had retired as Pastor for Bethlehem Gospel Mission Church in Tunnel Hill. Brother Strunk had previously Pastored for several area churches and was licensed with the Southern Illinois Christian Conference. Howard was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and man of God. His loss will be felt throughout his community.