Dwayn Allen Gunkel

Dwayn Allen Gunkel, 54, of Idaho Falls, passed away October 5, 2025, from a hereditary heart condition at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Dwayn arrived in the world on March 22, 1971, in Sturgis, South Dakota, to David and Yvonne Gunkel. The family moved around a lot, but Dwayn spent most of his childhood and formative school years in Glen Rock, Wyoming.

Dwayn met the love of his life, Lorraine Kathleen Porter, in 2017 and they spent the next eight years together. They were engaged in 2022, but consistently referred to each other as husband and wife during their engagement because in their hearts that's what they were to each other. They made a loving home life together in Idaho Falls. Dwayn was working at Landon Excavating operating heavy machinery at the time of his death. Prior to Landon Excavating, Dwayn worked for T&T Lawn Services for nearly five years.

Dwayn was an avid outdoors-man. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, kayaking, camping, and trapping. When he wasn't spending time in the great outdoors, he was spending time with family and friends, playing on his X-Box, and playing the role of Mascot on Lorraine's women's pool league.

Dwayn is survived by his fiance/life partner, Lorraine Porter of Idaho Falls, ID; father, David Bruce Gunkel of Idaho Falls, ID; brother, David (Jane) Gunkel Jr. of Oklahoma; his future step-children: Dana (Tasha) Porter of Idaho Falls, ID; Cody (Christina) Porter of Texas; and Tawnny (Nathan) Fawcett of Montana.

Dwayn was preceded in death by his mother, Yvonne Marie Gunkel and his sister, Dorie Rust.

Dwayn is also survived by a vast group of friends and selected few that he considered to be his extended family that will never forget what a fierce friend and practical joker he was to everyone.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Condolences or donations towards funeral expenses may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.