Clinton County IA Archives Obituaries.....Hunter, Benedict Gerald 2005 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Nettie Mae Lucas ClintonRoots@aol.com May 30, 2005, 9:50 am The Clinton Herald (www.clintonherald.com) Benedict Gerald Hunter, 91, of DeWitt died peacefully Friday, May 20, 2005 at Iowa Masonic Nursing Center in Bettendorf. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, DeWitt. Visitation will be Monday, May 23, 2005 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Gathering Space, DeWitt. There will be a prayer service following the visitation. Memorials can be made to St. Joseph's Church or to Iowa Masonic Nursing Center. Pallbearers will be Patrick Hunter, Matthew Hunter, Andrew Hunter, Samuel Schold, Brian Dietzen, and James Dietzen. Ben was born on the family farm northeast of DeWitt on April 16, 1914 to Charles F. and Lillian Reed Hunter. He graduated from St. Joseph's High School and attended the University of Iowa, majoring in chemical engineering. His formal education was interrupted when his brother, Jack, became ill and Ben returned to DeWitt to run Jack's business until he recovered. After Jack died, Ben stayed in the "filling station" business, branching out into truck deliveries and eventually into the agricultural chemical business. Ben incorporated bread, milk and pop into some stations, creating simple versions of today's convenience stores. His "retirement" from Standard Oil/Amoco in 1976 meant transitioning into independent jobber status and the creation of "Hunter Service Company". He retired in the late 1980s after selling the various aspects of his business. Ben married Gladys Loar on October 29, 1940 and they worked together to create a home, raise four children, and build a business. Gladys died on April 2, 2002 after 61 years of marriage. Ben volunteered for the Army on December 31, 1942 and during his stateside training, Gladys followed him to Aberdeen, Maryland. She would be able to remain only if she found a place to rent, which was extremely difficult in a military-focused Maryland town. After pounding on doors for many days, she found one person who would listen because Gladys was from Iowa. That kind person moved her children out of a bedroom and rented the room to Ben and Gladys. Ben was transferred to the Red River Arsenal in Texarkana, Texas, and Gladys went with him. Eventually Ben was ordered to ship out with his men. He risked military discipline to quickly drive his young family back to Iowa. They stopped for gas not far from home when a service station attendant ran out shouting "The war is over! The war is over!" Ben left his family safely in DeWitt, returned to Texarkana, and was discharged several months later in 1946. He returned to DeWitt, his family and the oil business. Ben was a very quiet man who focused on business and family. Those fortunate enough to know him recognized his tremendous intellect, kind heart, humble nature, and dry sense of humor. Throughout his life Ben quietly helped many people, never seeking accolades or acknowledgement. Ben always thought first and spoke second, if necessary. In addition to lifetime membership in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Ben was 4th Degree, Knights of Columbus and a lifetime member of the American Legion. Left to honor his memory are his son, Gerald M. (Kate, DeWitt) and daughters Ruth Ann Strobbe (Frisco, Texas), Nancy Schold (Sam, Sherrard, Illinois), Sally Dietzen (Mike, Lake Zurich, Illinois), grandchildren Lisa Strobbe, Lori Strobbe, Patrick Hunter, Matthew Hunter (Lanna), Andrew Hunter, James Dietzen and Brian Dietzen, great-granddaughter, Madina Grace Strobbe, brother Charles (Chuck) Hunter (DeWitt), sisters Florence Koleski (Ashland, Wisconsin) and Mary Ann Manship (Coolidge, Arizona), sister-in-law Isabelle Farnham (Boulder, CO), and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys, infant son, Arthur Charles, son-in-law, James B. Strobbe, parents, and brothers Jack Hunter and Joseph Hunter The family thanks Iowa Masonic Nursing Center for the wonderful care provided to Ben during his stay, and especially during his final days. Nelson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.nelsonfuneralhome.com. Benedict Gerald Hunter DeWitt, Iowa April 16, 1914 - May 20, 2005 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/ File size: 4.7 Kb