Frank "Pinky" Wonka, III

Frank "Pinky" Wonka, III, 77, of Wichita, Kansas passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021 at home surrounded by family. Pinky was born the son of Frank and Shirley Wonka July 10, 1944 in Leavenworth, KS. Pinky enlisted in the United States Navy the day before his 18th birthday and served for 3 years in communications. After the Navy, Pinky attended Kansas State University and legends of his shenanigans live on. Pinky and Carol Wonka were united in marriage on April 26, 1968 in Leavenworth, KS. He was known to drive many miles a day in courting her. Pinky and Carol began their overseas adventure when he began working for the State Department. They resided at the US Embassy in countries including France, Russia, Germany and Egypt where they also began a family having 3 daughters. They then returned to the States and Pinky began a new phase of his career in Air Traffic Control adding 2 sons to their family.

Pinky didn’t slow down for one moment throughout his blessed life. He and his beautiful wife of 53 years loved and cherished all of their children and their spouses along with all 12 of their grandchildren. His personality was as unique as his red hair and he knew no stranger. He could find friends and fellow vets at any shopping mall. He was accepting of others without a judgmental bone in his body and loved to share his joy in Jesus. He would literally give the shirt off his back to help anyone in need. Carol knows best in explaining that she loved how he always had a quiet strength about him that ruled the house. Our dear Lord and Savior just gained one of the most genuinely pure souls in Heaven this day. Besides career and family, Pinky enjoyed Church Ministry, racketball, and was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. The combination of humbleness, drive and humor that he walked his life was magnetic.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother; John Anderson, son-in-law; Layne Connelly. Survivors include his loving wife; Carol Wonka, children; Carrie Connelly, Lisa (Michael) Sabala, Casey (Derek) Yingling, Frank Wonka IV, Michael (Alex) Wonka, sisters; Linda Wonka, Nina Spillman, Julie (Jim) Yager, grandchildren; Cory, Nathan, Layne, Andrew, Austin, Emalee, Alexa, Frankie, Henry, Aiden, Oliver, Owen and extended family.

Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 18th, 2021 at Harvest Community Church, 8340 W. 21st St., Wichita, KS 67205.