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Edward M. "Ned" Dunkel III, passed away Thursday at home with his family. He was born in Altoona, a son of the late Edward M. Jr. and LaRue (Weaver) Dunkel.
On Sept. 9, 1967, in Winchester, Va., he married Mary Ann (McCoy) Dunkel, who survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Becky Lea (Ronald Lee) Hess and Carol Jean (Warren Jr.) Mowery; five grandchildren: Maura Elisabeth Brown, Ethan Moore Hess, Asa McCoy Hess, Joel Rei Hess and Quinn Edward Mowery; four sisters: Barbara Jean Friday, Donna Kay Walker, Linda Sue Yaudes and Karen Marie Harpster; and two brothers, James Ronald and Timothy Lee Dunkel.
He was preceded in death by sisters, N. Jane Harris and Dorothy Mae Barninger; and his stepmother, Betty Dunkel.
Ned was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He was a member of Grace Baptist Church of Tyrone.
Ned loved farming, gardening, blue grass music and time with his family. He did not know a stranger and couldn't go anywhere without seeing and talking with friends.
Throughout his life, he was a faithful, dependable and loved employee.
He made many friends at Ray Burial Vault, Pepsi Co., PPG, Westvaco and Kunzler, from which he retired.
Edward served in the Army National Guard of Pennsylvania in 1965 and was recognized as an expert marksman. He was honorably discharged in 1971.
Ned was not a college graduate, but he was a self-taught master of all trades. He led by example and encouraged his girls to pursue college degrees, incorporating the many life skills he taught them.
He was a man that lived his beliefs, was kind, honest, true and a follower of Jesus.
The family would like to profoundly thank Dr. Greg Sweeny, his primary care physician, and Cooleen Smith NP at Cardiology Associates of Altoona, for their most outstanding care throughout this lengthy illness.
A Celebration of Life Service with Military Honors will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Grace Baptist Church, Tyrone, with Pastor Dan Woodring officiating. Services will be streamed on the church's facebook page as well. A private interment will be made at the Bald Eagle Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc., Tyrone.
Donations in his honor may be made to centralpahumane.org; or paffa.org.
searerfuneralhomeinc.com