Obituary for Donald Hunter
On Saturday, November 16, 2019, Donald (Don) Minor Hunter, loving husband and father of 3 children, grandfather of 10, great-grandfather of 6, went to be with the Lord at the age of 96 ½.
Don was born on March 5, 1923 to Floyd Erman Hunter and Alice Rachel (Minor) Hunter at his parents’ farmhouse in Churdan, Iowa. He was the youngest of 7 children. He attended the Iowa State College – now University of Iowa in Ames as an engineering student. However, his college career was cut short by the start of World War II. He was a World War II veteran who proudly served in Korea as part of the Occupation of Japan forces. After the war he worked as a service technician fixing everything from televisions to computers. On October 5, 1956, he married Eleanor Frances Rathbun in the chapel at the First Baptist Church of Washington, DC., together they raised sons Paul and Tim, and daughter Sharon.
Despite living on the east coast in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia for most of his life, Don always considered himself a proud Iowan. He treasured his farm boy heritage and had many stories to tell of his adventures while growing up, especially with his brother Clare. He was devoted to his family especially his beloved wife, Eleanor. He could fix almost anything and was very creative at solving problems around the house, using everything at his disposal to remedy day to day problems. Don loved the Lord Jesus and served Him faithfully for many years as a deacon and as the sound technician at the First Baptist Churches of Martinsburg, WV and Wheaton, MD. He had a heart for serving others and could always be counted on to help.
After retirement, he and Eleanor loved to travel in their camper and toured much of the United States. He was close to having visited all 50 states when their traveling days ended. In later years, he became the family historian tracking the family from emigration to the US to the latest additions. His love of family shown through by staying closely connected with extended family and friends to the very end. He was an extrovert who loved getting to know other people and to share stories of their lives. He continued to love and serve Jesus faithfully throughout his retirement.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Marthanna Ruth Clark Hunter, and all of his siblings. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eleanor, his son Paul and wife Karen, daughter Sharon and husband Joe, son Tim and wife Laura, 10 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Information
A viewing will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2019, at 3:00 PM to be immediately followed by a memorial service at the First Baptist Church of Martinsburg, 315 W King St, Martinsburg, WV 25401
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Don’s name to be given to the Martinsburg Rescue Mission, 608 W King St, Martinsburg, WV 25401
Don was born on March 5, 1923 to Floyd Erman Hunter and Alice Rachel (Minor) Hunter at his parents’ farmhouse in Churdan, Iowa. He was the youngest of 7 children. He attended the Iowa State College – now University of Iowa in Ames as an engineering student. However, his college career was cut short by the start of World War II. He was a World War II veteran who proudly served in Korea as part of the Occupation of Japan forces. After the war he worked as a service technician fixing everything from televisions to computers. On October 5, 1956, he married Eleanor Frances Rathbun in the chapel at the First Baptist Church of Washington, DC., together they raised sons Paul and Tim, and daughter Sharon.
Despite living on the east coast in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia for most of his life, Don always considered himself a proud Iowan. He treasured his farm boy heritage and had many stories to tell of his adventures while growing up, especially with his brother Clare. He was devoted to his family especially his beloved wife, Eleanor. He could fix almost anything and was very creative at solving problems around the house, using everything at his disposal to remedy day to day problems. Don loved the Lord Jesus and served Him faithfully for many years as a deacon and as the sound technician at the First Baptist Churches of Martinsburg, WV and Wheaton, MD. He had a heart for serving others and could always be counted on to help.
After retirement, he and Eleanor loved to travel in their camper and toured much of the United States. He was close to having visited all 50 states when their traveling days ended. In later years, he became the family historian tracking the family from emigration to the US to the latest additions. His love of family shown through by staying closely connected with extended family and friends to the very end. He was an extrovert who loved getting to know other people and to share stories of their lives. He continued to love and serve Jesus faithfully throughout his retirement.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Marthanna Ruth Clark Hunter, and all of his siblings. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eleanor, his son Paul and wife Karen, daughter Sharon and husband Joe, son Tim and wife Laura, 10 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Information
A viewing will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2019, at 3:00 PM to be immediately followed by a memorial service at the First Baptist Church of Martinsburg, 315 W King St, Martinsburg, WV 25401
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Don’s name to be given to the Martinsburg Rescue Mission, 608 W King St, Martinsburg, WV 25401