Lawrence “Fats” Orville Kunk,

Age 69, of Yorkshire – Osgood Road in Yorkshire, Ohio, passed away peacefully with his family by his side of natural causes at his residence Sunday evening, December 28, 2025.  He was born August 17, 1956, in Coldwater, Ohio, to the late Raymond & Emma (Mueller) Kunk.  On July 19, 1980, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Maria Stein, Fats married Denise (Bertke) Kunk who survives.  Also surviving are five children: Adam & Carla Kunk of Maria Stein, Amanda & Adam Weitzel of St. Henry, Kyle & Josie Kunk of North Star, Kimberly & Philip Hart of Laura and Betsy Wagner of Greenville along with 22 grandchildren; 8 siblings: Evelyn LaPierre of Dayton, Orville & Ruth Kunk of Coldwater, Doris Mitchell of Beavercreek, Emily & Gary Bensman of Minster, Mark & Joan Kunk of Versailles, Gary & Sharon Kunk of Versailles, Roger & Kathy Kunk of Covington, KY, Joseph Kunk of Celina, Lorraine Saintignon of Celina and brothers & sisters-in-law: Ed Werling of St Henry, Henry Mohlman of Dayton, Laura Kunk of New Albany IN, Steve & Diane Bertke of New Bremen, Mary Jo & Marvin Koester of Celina, Patrick & Claudia Bertke of Pueblo Mexico, Lynn & Raymond Moeller of Mendon, Gerry Bertke of New Bremen and Gregg Bertke of Chickasaw as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by four siblings: Marcella Werling, Mary Lou Mohlman, John Kunk and Thomas Kunk; brothers & sisters-in-law: Norman LaPierre, Marvin Mitchell, Kathy “Kate” Bruns Kitzmiller & Harry Bruns as well as his father & mother-in-law, Deacon Omer & Rita Bertke.

Fats was a 1975 graduate of Versailles High School.  Fats retired from Versailles Schools where he had been a groundskeeper and a devoted bus driver for more than 23 years.  He previously worked in the foundry at Francis Manufacturing in Russia and had also worked with Bohman Excavating.  Fats was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church in North Star and an avid member of the Versailles Fraternal Order of Eagles.  He also traveled to six different countries with the Ohio Youth Choir.  Fats sang in numerous musicals and belonged to the quartet group, Harmonaires.  He is also a retired volunteer firefighter of 15 years with the North Star Fire Department.  Fats loved his music.  His beautiful singing was a gift he shared with everyone.  He sang to his wife at their wedding, at all of his children’s weddings, for numerous friends, and for nieces’ and nephew’s.  He concluded his blessed tour singing at his granddaughter’s wedding this past summer.  Fats loved spending time with his family, all the family campouts, family gatherings, showing off his garden and teaching his grandkids which way the seeds should go in.  He was also privileged to participate in an Honor Flight trip with four of his brothers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at St. Louis Church with Rev. Andrew Reckers presiding.  Interment will follow at St. Louis Cemetery.  Family and friends may call Monday, 2:00 to 7:00 PM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie and Tuesday, 9:00 to 10:00 AM at St. Louis Church.  Memorials may be made to the North Star Fire Department or Osgood Fire and Rescue.  Private condolences may be expressed at the gehretfuneralhome.com website.