Ralph Harper Dunkle, 86 of Franklin passed away Dec. 21, 2022, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
He was born May 3, 1936, in Deer Run, the son of the late Newman Paul and Freida Harper Dunkle.
Mr. Dunkle was a 1954 graduate of Franklin High School. He attended Potomac State College and graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelors in agriculture in 1959 and a masters in agriculture in 1967.
He worked as county extension agent, starting in Brooke County in 1959. In 1962, he moved to Tucker County and finished his career in Pendleton County from 1975 to 1994. In this role, he most enjoyed working with youth be it in county or state 4-H camps and judging activities. After college he refereed high school football and basketball for a number of years.
In his retirement he became the family babysitter taking care of all of his grandchildren during the summers and before they were able to attend school. He was an avid hunter and taught his children and grandchildren about hunting and enjoying the outdoors. Once the grandchildren were school age, he worked part time at both Sports Unlimited and Pendleton County Outdoors. He also enjoyed auctioneering.
He was a 50-year member of the Farm Bureau. He was a 50+ year member of the Order of Eastern Star Franklin Chapter #138, a 50+ year member of Pendleton Lodge #144, a member of the Scottish Rite and a Shriner. He was a member of the Mt. Zion Methodist Church.
On June 7, 1959, he married his wife of 55 years, Sally Ann Ours Dunkle, who preceded him in death on May 29, 2015.
Surviving are a daughter, Sandra Dunkle “Sandy” Trushel and husband, Ed of Mechanicstown, Ohio; a son Larkin Paul “Duke” Dunkle and wife, Melinda of Franklin; six grandchildren, Justin W. Smith and wife, Hannah of Staunton, Virginia, Bethany D. Dunkle Hubbard and husband, Ben of Franklin, Trisha M. Smith Brennan and husband, Jonathan of Dorcas, Dylan P. Dunkle and wife, Emily of Lewisburg, Lindsay B. Dunkle Phares and husband, Isiah of Flemington, and Dalton L. Dunkle of Franklin; eight great-grandchildren, Maycee C. Woods, Piper M. Hubbard, Wyatt D. Brennan, Norah J. Hubbard, Emmett J. Brennan, Sullivan D. Hubbard, Wade D. Smith, and Rennick A. Hubbard; an aunt; several nieces; a nephew; and several cousins.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Rebecca Ann Dunkle Tomlinson.
An Eastern Star Service was held Dec. 27 at the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin. Funeral services were held Dec. 28 in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Mike Loudermilk officiating. Interment was in Cherry Hill Cemetery in Upper Tract with Masonic Services conducted by Pendleton Lodge #144.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Pendleton County 4-H, Mt. Zion Methodist Church, Pendleton Manor, or Pendleton County Rescue Squad.
Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home.
