Thomas Edward Bunch

Thomas E. Bunch, 71, of Ottawa, Kansas, left this earth, November 26, 2021, surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be held 10:00 A.M., Saturday, December 4, 2021, at the North Baptist Church, Ottawa, with a visitation directly following the service. Inurnment Wellsville Cemetery, Wellsville, Kansas. Tom was born on January 19, 1950, in Portsmouth, Virginia, the son of David E. and Helen T. (Slye) Bunch. The family moved to Ottawa, when Tom was 10 years old. Tom was raised Catholic and later was baptized at North Baptist Church in Ottawa. He graduated from Ottawa High School with the Class of 1968. Tom was united in marriage to Patricia L. Lambert August 20, 1977, in Ottawa, Kansas. They had two children Tiffany E. (Bunch) Blecha and Timothy R. Bunch. Tom started his career at 12 years of age throwing newspapers for the Ottawa Herald. After graduating from high school, he worked for H. D. Lee and part-time at Towner Funeral Home. Tom was also an assistant director and EMT for Franklin County Ambulance Service until 1980 after which he sold insurance for Farm Bureau. He then went to work for Sallie Mae Loan Servicing as a technical writer, training and developing training materials for new hires. Tom stayed with Sallie Mae for 25 years until the company relocated out of state. He then continued his employment with DST in the same location. Tom was also employed by Ferrell Gas and Econo Gas in Ottawa. He retired in 2009 and enjoyed working in and around his home. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, David and Helen Bunch, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Roy and Betty Lambert, nephew, David Keener and great nephew, Matt Owens. Survivors include his beloved wife Patty; daughter, Tiffany Blecha (Frank) of Monument, Colorado; son, Tim Bunch (Wendy) of Ottawa; grandchildren, Autumn Bunch, Wyatt Blecha, Laken Bunch, Tyler Blecha, Layla Bunch, Parker Blecha, Kade Bunch and Owen Bunch; brother, Bob Bunch of Plains, Montana; sisters, Theresa Keener (Thomas) of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Donita Zundel (Norman) of Elkridge, Maryland; sisters-in-law, Dixie Farrell and Shirley Glass (Max); cousins and several nieces and nephews. Tom cherished his eight grandchildren. They brought him much joy and changed his life forever. He loved being a Papa. Tom and Patty loved traveling to Branson, Missouri and playing games with the family. Tom and his neighbor buddy, Red, spent many a fall season picking pecans from their backyard trees, one season picking over 150 gallons, sharing them with family and friends. He especially enjoyed being outside in the sunshine and on snowy days could be found cleaning walks and driveways for his neighbors. For the last many months, Tom and Patty enjoyed spending time together serving others at the North Baptist Church Food Pantry in Ottawa and at The Light House – Pomona Food Pantry. What a joy to serve others! The family suggests memorial contributions to The Light House – Pomona Food Pantry c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.