Jimmy Lawrence Bunnell

Jimmy Lawrence (Jim) Bunnell, age 81, of Centerville, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at home.

Jim was born the son of Leonard Thomas and Lillian Marie Sizemore Bunnell on May 14, 1940, in rural Putnam County, Missouri. He went to the Dodson Country School. Jim was united in marriage to Patricia Rose (Patsy) Daily on September 6, 1963, in Lemons, Missouri, and they made their home in Centerville.

Jim served for more than 20 years in the Iowa Army National Guard, retiring in 1987. As a young man, he worked for the Baxter Box Company. In 1964 he started work for Union Carbide as a press helper. He became an area mechanic and in later years worked as a Viskase plant general mechanic.

Jim enjoyed flathead fishing on many rivers in the region. He owned an airboat which he piloted mainly on Lake Rathbun, always with a smile on his face. He was very mechanical and was always fabricating something useful.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Patsy; his sister Polly Farley; his granddaughter, Natalie Bunnell; and his nephew, Mark Farley.

Jim is survived by his brother Terry Bunnell of Unionville, Missouri; his sons, Ricky Bunnell (Susan) of Singapore, Rusty Bunnell (Kim) of Des Moines, and Randy Bunnell (Carol) of Blakesburg; his daughter, Regena Cowan (Gavin) of Centerville; his grandchildren, Ross Merritt (Elizabeth) of Seymour, Juliana Bunnell of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Nicholas Bunnell of Des Moines, Jessyca Bunnell of Ottumwa, Jacob Bunnell of Steamboat Rock, Iowa, Joshua Bullard of Centerville, Justin Bullard (Elizabeth) of St. Joseph, Missouri, Layneigh Bullard and Gracey Cowan of Centerville; great-grandchildren, John, Erin and Bryn Merritt, Owen Freese, Rowan Bullard; and nieces and nephews.

Per Jim’s wishes, cremation has been accorded.  A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3:00PM, Sunday, May 8, 2022 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville with Pastor Howard Luscan officiating.  Military Rites will follow the service at the funeral home.  Visitation will take place Sunday, May 8, 2022 at Lange Funeral Home in Centerville beginning at 12:00PM/Noon, with the family greeting friends from 1-3PM.  A private family burial will be held at Haines Cemetery. Memorials have been established to Haines Cemetery, and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory, ATTN: Bunnell family, 1900 South 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544.  Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page.