James Dunkle

James L. "Pete" Dunkle, 76, of Chillicothe, died March 8, 2021, at his residence.

He was born April 23, 1944, in Chillicothe to the late Lewis and Bernice (Burnett) Dunkle.

Surviving are his children: Kelley (Rodney) Detillion, Chillicothe; Troy (Tracy) Dunkle, Washington C.H.; and Joseph Dunkle, Chillicothe; a daughter-in-law Stephanie Dunkle, Springboro; grandchildren: Tyler Dunkle, Christian Dunkle, Kelsey (Colton) Whitehouse, Joel Dunkle, Gracie Dunkle, Kendra Detillion, Taylor Dunkle, Elise Dunkle; a great-granddaughter Ivy Whitehouse; his sister Lois Kunz, of Frankfort; many extended family members and several friends, including his closest friends: Donny Sowers, Bo Hitchens, Brian Sowers, Chris Echard, Weiner Williamson, Steve Stirn, Carvel Simmons, Kelvin Putnam, Thomas Sowers, Dan Reigel, Jack and Robert Greenwalt, and Glen Chester. He was predeceased by his son James Matthew Dunkle; and a sister Lorinda McConaughey; an infant brother Leon Dunkle and 14 half-siblings.

Pete graduated from Frankfort in 1962, where he was a member of the football, basketball and baseball teams. He was vice-president of his senior class and named All-Ohio Pitcher his senior year. Pete graduated from Morehead State University with a bachelor degree education. He later received his master degree from Xavier University.

Pete started his teaching and coaching career at Paint Valley, moved to Finley, OH to Arlington High School and then found his home at Zane Trace School District. Pete was a high school Principal and then Superintendent where he finished his 23 years at ZT, retiring in 1996. Pete continued his work at ZT as a full-time volunteer as a booster club member, working bingo and running the ZT PTO sausage booth at the Ross Co. Fair and Easy Rider Rodeo.

His love of baseball continued on with his directing the Valley Vista Sports Camp in Bainbridge during the early 1970's for over 10 years. He was also an OHSAA baseball and softball umpire for over 45 years, officiating 25 state baseball tournaments, and several regional and district games as well. Pete taught baseball and softball officiating class at OU for 20 years. He was inducted into the OHSAA Hall of Fame in 2000 as a baseball official.

Pete was a people person who never shied away from work or jumping in to help out. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting and was a master gardener. He had friends in all walks of life. His social life was devoted to the Zane Trace Community, his four children and his grandchildren. Pete loved going to the Amish country, fishing in the Maumee River, hunting for mushrooms anywhere and playing cards anywhere off 138 or 207. Pete also enjoyed evening drives to Casa del Taco with his dog "Milo."

His funeral service will be held at 1pm Sunday, March 14, at the Zane Trace High School Gymnasium with Rev. Barry Bennett officiating. The funeral service will be live-streamed on Zane Trace Facebook Live.  Burial will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Kingston. Friends may call from 4-8pm Saturday at the high school gym. Arrangements are under the direction of Haller Funeral Home & Crematory. COVID protocol of facial coverings and social distancing will be required to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Zane Trace Athletic Boosters, c/o Zane Trace High School, 946 State Route 180, Chillicothe, OH 45601.


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