John Samuel Hunter, 87, of Lebanon, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2015, in Cox Medical Center South, in Springfield, MO.
He was born April 11, 1928 in Marceline, Missouri, to Elmer B. and Myrtle Parker Hunter. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Hilma Jean Smelte Hunter; and a brother, Elmer Leroy Hunter.
John is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Ford, of the home; two stepsons, Keith Ford, & his wife, Kim, Ft. Mohave, AZ, and Kent Ford, & his wife, Ronna, Lebanon, MO; four step-grandchildren, Ericka Poppell, Christopher Vear, Alyssa Ford, and Adrienne Phelps; six step-great-grandchildren, Reese, Avery, Tyson, Beau, Finn, and Breanna; two brothers, Leonard Hunter, James Port, MO, and Marvin Hunter, & his wife, Dianna, of San Tan Valley, AZ; two sisters, Margaret Gregory, & her husband, John, Green City, MO, and Nellie Krieg, & her husband, Irvin, Arnold, MO; several nieces and nephews.
At the age of 16, with his parent’s permission, John joined the Merchant Marines and served from 1945 until 1946 at the end of World War II. He worked in various capacities in different business endeavors throughout his life. He had farmed and operated a custom hay bailing business, owned and operated a restaurant and tavern, and several other businesses. He had worked as a salesman and was the first salesman for Treasure Lake Resort in Branson. He had enjoyed flat track motorcycle racing and spending winters in Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
John professed his faith in Christ early in his life and was a member of Washington Christian Church in Lebanon.
Family services will be at a later date with burial in the Locke Cemetery, near Marceline, under the care and direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, MO. Memorial donations to Washington Christian Church may be made through Holman-Howe Funeral Home, 320 S. Adams Ave., Lebanon, MO 65536.