Walter A. Kunkle, 78, of Madisonville, KY, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville.

He was born on December 9, 1947, in Indiana, PA, to the late Ruth Williams Kunkle and Harry Kunkle. Walter was a self-employed carpenter. He enjoyed painting, hunting, and motorcycle riding. Walter was also very adventurous, enjoying snow skiing, water skiing, zip lining, and skydiving.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Kunkle.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Franklin Kunkle; daughters, Diane (Mark) Vaughn of Dawson Springs, KY and Erica (Chance Durden) Mills of Evansville, IN; sisters, Joan McCue of Lake Port, CA and Nancy Holbrook of Texas; sister in law, Charlotte Kunkle of Dalton, KY; grandchildren, Spencer Belfer, Kwristi Mills, Cameron Mills, and Ryan Vaughn; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Dr. Mark Partin officiating. A private burial will be held at Little Muddy Cemetery in Morgantown, KY at a later date.

A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour on Friday at the funeral home.