Clinton Gunkel

PHOTO
STOUGHTON - On Thursday, October 4, 2018, Clint (CJ) Karl Gunkel, loving father, fiancé, brother, and son, passed away at age 37 from an accident sustained on vacation in Mexico.
CJ was born on August 29, 1981 in Milwaukee, WI to Clinton and Karole (Eichenbaum) Gunkel. CJ graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1999, where he was also a member of the 1998 - 99 State Swim Team. He received his Bachelor of Art in History from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2003. CJ worked in the payroll and HR industry for over 11 years for companies including ADP, Paylocity, Proliant, TPC, and Paychex. On July 2, 2011, CJ welcomed his son, Sawyer Gunkel, into the world. Sawyer brought unconditional love into CJ's life and CJ cherished being a father and role model to his son. Their favorite things to do together included golfing, going to the cabin, fishing, playing UNO, and swimming.
CJ's biggest passion was golf. He could often be found teaching his fiancé, Kim, or helping his son Sawyer perfect their game at Coachman's Golf Resort. He also enjoyed traveling, as well as cheering on his favorite sport teams Chicago Cubs and Chelsea Football Club and golfers Jason Day and Tiger Woods. He liked reading, cooking, and playing Scrabble. He was also an avid music lover and a collector of Beatles memorabilia. He was known for his quick wit, contagious laugh, intelligence, and kind and compassionate spirit.
CJ is survived by his son Sawyer, his parents Mike and Karole (Eichenbaum) Yonker, his loving fiancé Kim, his best friend and sister Taryn (Nate) Sutter, his sister Keely (Jason) Roberts, his Uncle Scott Gunkel, grandfather, Clinton Sr., step-grandmother, Gloria Yonker; and several nieces and nephews, survive him.
CJ was preceded in death by his father, Clinton, his maternal grandparents Saul and Vivian Eichenbaum, his paternal grandmother Ruth Gunkel, paternal Aunt Carrie Gunkel, step-grandfather, Calvin Yonker and step grandmother, Judy (Holland) Yonker.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at Coachman's Golf Resort (984 County Hwy A, Edgerton, WI 53534), from 2 - 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Sawyer's college fund at Johnson Bank (200 Sherman Avenue West, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538).
The family also wishes to thank the staff at St. Mary's Hospital - Madison for all of the care and support they provided CJ and his loved ones while he was there.

Please share your memories of CJ by posting Tributes.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
206 W Prospect St.
Stoughton, WI 53589
608-873-9244