Jesse Van Gunda

Jesse Ira Van Gunda of Camden, DE passed away on February 19, 2025, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, DE.  He was 85.

Born in 1939, in Chico, CA, he was the son of the late Cyrus Van Gunda and Thelma Mitchell Van Gunda.  He retired from Midway Slots as a security guard but spent many years as a forklift driver at a sugar factory in California.  He loved to hunt, fish, and just be outside.

He is survived by his son Jesse (Alicia) Van Gunda of Cordova, TN; Jodee (David) Adams of Wells, TX; Michael Van Gunda of Pensacola,  FL; and Cyrus (Melissa) Van Gunda of Camden, DE with whom he lived; as well as his brother Clarence, known as Bud, (Sara) Van Gunda of Oroville, CA; 7 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Jance Van Gunda, his brother William (Bill) Van Gunda, his sisters Irma Kemp, Patricia Ince, and Velma Viola (Vi) Leahy, and his daughter Melissa Van Gunda.

The family would like to send a special thanks to the ladies at the Day Break program at Modern Maturity Center for keeping Jesse active and young this past year.  We also want to send special thanks to Delaware Palliative Care and Delaware Hospice and the wonderful people that took care of Jesse while either home or in the center. You all made life better for all of us. God bless you!

As per Jesse’s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held.