Walter J. Gunia

Tilton- Walter J. Gunia, 86, of Tilton passed away at 11:15 AM on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was born on January 4, 1926 in Hegler to Ludwik and Mary Pastwa Gunia. He married Shirley Berthold on August 8, 1948 in Danville at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. She survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Karen (Robert) Streuer ofTilton; two sons, Michael (Kathy) Gunia of Tuscon, AZ and Jeffrey Gunia of Danville; five grandchildren, Steven (Sommer) Gunia of Massillon, OH, Joe (Janel) Gunia of Tuscon, AZ, Rebecca (Roger) Williams of Tuscon, AZ, Melissa Park of Lafayette, IN, and Amber (Nate) Byram of Danville; and six great-grandchildren, Chase Gunia, Michael and Makayla Williams, Brandon Coe, Dylan Park, and Presley Byram. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Helen Chapman. Walter was a graduate of Westville High School and served on an aircraft carrier in the Marines during WWII. He was an avid Illini Basketball fan and enjoyed going outside for his daily walks. A service to celebrate the life of Walter J. Gunia will be held at 2 PM on Monday, March 19, 2012 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery. Pastor Daniel Fienen will officiate. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 PM prior to the service on Monday, also at Sunset in Danville. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Please join Walter's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos of his life through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.