Robert Mark Dunning Jr. 77 of County Route 70-A, passed away peacefully on Saturday (August 31, 2024) at his home surrounded by his loving family and close friends.Mark was born in Hornell, November 21, 1946, the son of Robert M. Dunning Sr., and Martha Sweeney Dunning. He was a graduate of Hornell High School, and was a decorated Air Force Combat Vietnam Veteran who succumbed to multiple complications of Agent Orange poisoning. A warrior until the end.
Mark had been employed for the former Erie Railroad NYS DOT Signal Control, the Steuben County Sheriffs’ Department and the New York State Department of Corrections.
Mark had Volunteered for the North Hornell, Bath, Avoca, and Perkinsville Fire Departments, as well as CISM, the Salvation Army, Vincent House, Christian Motorcyclists Association and Chaplain Fellowship. His hobbies included drums, motorcycling, fishing and humor. Mark was a life member of the American Legion and VFW.
Mark was predeceased by his parents and brother Jerry Dunning.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Diane Thomas Dunning, his daughter, Kylie (Jess) Barnhart of Silver Springs, his sons, George “Chip” (Karen) Brown of Saegertown, PA, and Andrew (Ashleigh) Dunning of Hornell, his sister Sandra Schulitz of Rochester, 6 Grandchildren, nieces & nephews.
The family will be present to receive friends on Wednesday (Sept. 11, 2024) at the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo Street in Hornell from 4 PM until 7 PM. Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Thursday (Sept 12 , 2024) at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church in Hornell. Rev. John Cwyner and Pastor Nathaniel Fergson will officiate. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Almond. Following the graveside service, a luncheon will he held at the Dansville American Legion Post.
Friends wishing to remember Mark, are asked to consider a memorial contribution to the Steuben County Deputy Sheriff’s Association or Vincent House in Wayland or one of the Fire Departments mentioned above.