Elmer Burton Gunter, 94, of Beckley, WV, passed away at the VA hospital from complications due to COVID on December 22, 2021. It is 103 years after his grandmother, Emma Jones Sanders died in the Spanish flu pandemic in December 1918.
Born at Eccles, WV on October 20, 1927, he was the oldest son of the late Oliver Jackson and Zepha Irene Sanders Gunter, one of ten children, nine who survived to maturity.
Burton grew up in Raleigh County, WV. He joined the Navy when he was 14 years old and was one of the first Seabees in the Navy during WWII serving from May 1942-Jan 1946. The Naval Construction Force, better known as the Seabees, was established on 5 March 1942. The 13th US Naval Construction Battalion, colloquially known as the "Black Cat Battalion" was commissioned on 13 July 1942 at Camp Allen, Norfolk Virginia where Burton was at Boot Camp and he reported to them on 14 July 1942. On 18 August 1942, the 13th Naval Construction Battalion embarked on board the U.S.S. Chaumont at Port Hueneme, California and arrived at Dutch Harbor on 26 Aug 1942. It was his first sea voyage and was amazed at seeing whales. He worked in a warehouse and was there until 14 Aug 1943 when he embarked on the U.S.S. Chaumont and returned to Port Hueneme, California. He transferred to the 140th Naval Construction Battalion on 14 Mar 1944. On 20 May 1944 the 140th embarked on board the M.S. Bloemfontein for duty outside the United States. He crossed the equator on 30 May 1944 and the International Date Line on 4 Jun 1944. The unit disembarked at Manus Island, Admiralty Islands, on June 18, 1944. He worked at the Water Treatment Plant there and supplied fresh water to incoming ships. On April 18, 1945, he was commended by the Commander of the Seventh Fleet for participation in the construction and maintenance of a critical Naval Base used for the repair and supply of fighting ships of the Fleet with upmost efficiency which contributed materially to the successful operation of Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Area of Operations during the period of June 1944 to February 1945. He received the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon and a Victory Medal. He received an Honorable Discharge as a Water Tender Third Class.
Throughout his life he embodied the Seabees " Can Do" moto. Following his service in WWII, he graduated from the Charleston School of Commerce with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Burton was in the financing and banking field for 35 years. He was an organizer, director and executive officer of the former Citizens National Bank of St. Albans, now part of Chase Bank. Burton and Martha returned to the Beckley area in 1995, after living in the Charleston area for 37 years. He was dedicated to his family and believed in civic duty. Burton was a member of the American Legion, the Seabee Historical Foundation and the Sons of the American Revolution with 3 documented Revolutionary War ancestors. In 2003, Burton was awarded the Leonard Jarrett Award by the Lions Club in appreciation and recognition of his distinguished service for sight and hearing by the WV Lions Sight Conservation. Burton was an active volunteer at the VA Hospital in Beckley for over 7 years with over 1700 volunteer hours and has been recognized for his service. He was a member of the Perry Memorial Methodist Church of Shady Spring and American Legion Post 32.
He enjoyed traveling, highlights included trips to Europe, Australia, Argentina and Brazil.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Martha Ann Creger Gunter, on 27 October 2020, his brothers; Donald Jackson and Larry Gunter and his sisters; Thelma Gunter Plotkin Varley, Nyla Gunter Hinkle and Mona Ruth Gunter Saykally.
Those survivors left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Martha Jane Gunter Linkenhoker and husband Roger of Scott Depot, WV; his son, Michael Gunter and wife Emer of Scottsdale, AZ; five grandchildren, J.C. Jarrett, Haley Jarrett Brogan, Danielle Jarrett Neitz(Josh), Liadan and Ciara Gunter; four great grandchildren, Payton Jarrett, Tommy and Scarlett Brogan and Syd Neitz; two brothers, Glenn Gunter of Venice, Fl and Dale Gunter of Beckley, WV; and two sisters, Bea Gunter Jacobson and June Gunter McGraw of Myrtle Beach, NC.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers B.J. , Jennifer and Trish for their tender loving care.
A graveside service will be held at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 130 Academy Drive, Dunbar, WV on Monday December 27, 2021 at 2 PM. For those who wish to attend the service, we request that facial coverings be worn and social distancing is practiced.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the WVU Foundation - Scholarship #3Z902 ( https://secure.give.wvu.edu/give ) or the MD Anderson Cancer Center - Gunter Endowment Cancer Research ( https://gifts.mdanderson.org/default.aspx?tsid=10503 ).
Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.meltonmortuary.com.
Arrangements are by Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center | 1200 Harper Road | Beckley, WV 25801
Born at Eccles, WV on October 20, 1927, he was the oldest son of the late Oliver Jackson and Zepha Irene Sanders Gunter, one of ten children, nine who survived to maturity.
Burton grew up in Raleigh County, WV. He joined the Navy when he was 14 years old and was one of the first Seabees in the Navy during WWII serving from May 1942-Jan 1946. The Naval Construction Force, better known as the Seabees, was established on 5 March 1942. The 13th US Naval Construction Battalion, colloquially known as the "Black Cat Battalion" was commissioned on 13 July 1942 at Camp Allen, Norfolk Virginia where Burton was at Boot Camp and he reported to them on 14 July 1942. On 18 August 1942, the 13th Naval Construction Battalion embarked on board the U.S.S. Chaumont at Port Hueneme, California and arrived at Dutch Harbor on 26 Aug 1942. It was his first sea voyage and was amazed at seeing whales. He worked in a warehouse and was there until 14 Aug 1943 when he embarked on the U.S.S. Chaumont and returned to Port Hueneme, California. He transferred to the 140th Naval Construction Battalion on 14 Mar 1944. On 20 May 1944 the 140th embarked on board the M.S. Bloemfontein for duty outside the United States. He crossed the equator on 30 May 1944 and the International Date Line on 4 Jun 1944. The unit disembarked at Manus Island, Admiralty Islands, on June 18, 1944. He worked at the Water Treatment Plant there and supplied fresh water to incoming ships. On April 18, 1945, he was commended by the Commander of the Seventh Fleet for participation in the construction and maintenance of a critical Naval Base used for the repair and supply of fighting ships of the Fleet with upmost efficiency which contributed materially to the successful operation of Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Area of Operations during the period of June 1944 to February 1945. He received the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon and a Victory Medal. He received an Honorable Discharge as a Water Tender Third Class.
Throughout his life he embodied the Seabees " Can Do" moto. Following his service in WWII, he graduated from the Charleston School of Commerce with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Burton was in the financing and banking field for 35 years. He was an organizer, director and executive officer of the former Citizens National Bank of St. Albans, now part of Chase Bank. Burton and Martha returned to the Beckley area in 1995, after living in the Charleston area for 37 years. He was dedicated to his family and believed in civic duty. Burton was a member of the American Legion, the Seabee Historical Foundation and the Sons of the American Revolution with 3 documented Revolutionary War ancestors. In 2003, Burton was awarded the Leonard Jarrett Award by the Lions Club in appreciation and recognition of his distinguished service for sight and hearing by the WV Lions Sight Conservation. Burton was an active volunteer at the VA Hospital in Beckley for over 7 years with over 1700 volunteer hours and has been recognized for his service. He was a member of the Perry Memorial Methodist Church of Shady Spring and American Legion Post 32.
He enjoyed traveling, highlights included trips to Europe, Australia, Argentina and Brazil.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Martha Ann Creger Gunter, on 27 October 2020, his brothers; Donald Jackson and Larry Gunter and his sisters; Thelma Gunter Plotkin Varley, Nyla Gunter Hinkle and Mona Ruth Gunter Saykally.
Those survivors left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Martha Jane Gunter Linkenhoker and husband Roger of Scott Depot, WV; his son, Michael Gunter and wife Emer of Scottsdale, AZ; five grandchildren, J.C. Jarrett, Haley Jarrett Brogan, Danielle Jarrett Neitz(Josh), Liadan and Ciara Gunter; four great grandchildren, Payton Jarrett, Tommy and Scarlett Brogan and Syd Neitz; two brothers, Glenn Gunter of Venice, Fl and Dale Gunter of Beckley, WV; and two sisters, Bea Gunter Jacobson and June Gunter McGraw of Myrtle Beach, NC.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers B.J. , Jennifer and Trish for their tender loving care.
A graveside service will be held at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 130 Academy Drive, Dunbar, WV on Monday December 27, 2021 at 2 PM. For those who wish to attend the service, we request that facial coverings be worn and social distancing is practiced.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the WVU Foundation - Scholarship #3Z902 ( https://secure.give.wvu.edu/give ) or the MD Anderson Cancer Center - Gunter Endowment Cancer Research ( https://gifts.mdanderson.org/default.aspx?tsid=10503 ).
Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.meltonmortuary.com.
Arrangements are by Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center | 1200 Harper Road | Beckley, WV 25801
Elmer Burton Gunter, 94, of Beckley, WV, passed away at the VA hospital from complications due to COVID on December 22, 2021. It is 103 years after his grandmother, Emma Jones Sanders died in the Spanish flu pandemic in December 1918.
Born at Eccles, WV on October 20, 1927, he was the oldest son of the late Oliver Jackson and Zepha Irene Sanders Gunter, one of ten children, nine who survived to maturity.
Burton grew up in Raleigh County, WV. He joined the Navy when he was 14 years old and was one of the first Seabees in the Navy during WWII serving from May 1942-Jan 1946. The Naval Construction Force, better known as the Seabees, was established on 5 March 1942. The 13th US Naval Construction Battalion, colloquially known as the "Black Cat Battalion" was commissioned on 13 July 1942 at Camp Allen, Norfolk Virginia where Burton was at Boot Camp and he reported to them on 14 July 1942. On 18 August 1942, the 13th Naval Construction Battalion embarked on board the U.S.S. Chaumont at Port Hueneme, California and arrived at Dutch Harbor on 26 Aug 1942. It was his first sea voyage and was amazed at seeing whales. He worked in a warehouse and was there until 14 Aug 1943 when he embarked on the U.S.S. Chaumont and returned to Port Hueneme, California. He transferred to the 140th Naval Construction Battalion on 14 Mar 1944. On 20 May 1944 the 140th embarked on board the M.S. Bloemfontein for duty outside the United States. He crossed the equator on 30 May 1944 and the International Date Line on 4 Jun 1944. The unit disembarked at Manus Island, Admiralty Islands, on June 18, 1944. He worked at the Water Treatment Plant there and supplied fresh water to incoming ships. On April 18, 1945, he was commended by the Commander of the Seventh Fleet for participation in the construction and maintenance of a critical Naval Base used for the repair and supply of fighting ships of the Fleet with upmost efficiency which contributed materially to the successful operation of Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Area of Operations during the period of June 1944 to February 1945. He received the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon and a Victory Medal. He received an Honorable Discharge as a Water Tender Third Class.
Throughout his life he embodied the Seabees " Can Do" moto. Following his service in WWII, he graduated from the Charleston School of Commerce with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Burton was in the financing and banking field for 35 years. He was an organizer, director and executive officer of the former Citizens National Bank of St. Albans, now part of Chase Bank. Burton and Martha returned to the Beckley area in 1995, after living in the Charleston area for 37 years. He was dedicated to his family and believed in civic duty. Burton was a member of the American Legion, the Seabee Historical Foundation and the Sons of the American Revolution with 3 documented Revolutionary War ancestors. In 2003, Burton was awarded the Leonard Jarrett Award by the Lions Club in appreciation and recognition of his distinguished service for sight and hearing by the WV Lions Sight Conservation. Burton was an active volunteer at the VA Hospital in Beckley for over 7 years with over 1700 volunteer hours and has been recognized for his service. He was a member of the Perry Memorial Methodist Church of Shady Spring and American Legion Post 32.
He enjoyed traveling, highlights included trips to Europe, Australia, Argentina and Brazil.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Martha Ann Creger Gunter, on 27 October 2020, his brothers; Donald Jackson and Larry Gunter and his sisters; Thelma Gunter Plotkin Varley, Nyla Gunter Hinkle and Mona Ruth Gunter Saykally.
Those survivors left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Martha Jane Gunter Linkenhoker and husband Roger of Scott Depot, WV; his son, Michael Gunter and wife Emer of Scottsdale, AZ; five grandchildren, J.C. Jarrett, Haley Jarrett Brogan, Danielle Jarrett Neitz(Josh), Liadan and Ciara Gunter; four great grandchildren, Payton Jarrett, Tommy and Scarlett Brogan and Syd Neitz; two brothers, Glenn Gunter of Venice, Fl and Dale Gunter of Beckley, WV; and two sisters, Bea Gunter Jacobson and June Gunter McGraw of Myrtle Beach, NC.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers B.J. , Jennifer and Trish for their tender loving care.
A graveside service will be held at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 130 Academy Drive, Dunbar, WV on Monday December 27, 2021 at 2 PM. For those who wish to attend the service, we request that facial coverings be worn and social distancing is practiced.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the WVU Foundation - Scholarship #3Z902 ( https://secure.give.wvu.edu/give ) or the MD Anderson Cancer Center - Gunter Endowment Cancer Research ( https://gifts.mdanderson.org/default.aspx?tsid=10503 ).
Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.meltonmortuary.com.
Arrangements are by Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center | 1200 Harper Road | Beckley, WV 25801
Born at Eccles, WV on October 20, 1927, he was the oldest son of the late Oliver Jackson and Zepha Irene Sanders Gunter, one of ten children, nine who survived to maturity.
Burton grew up in Raleigh County, WV. He joined the Navy when he was 14 years old and was one of the first Seabees in the Navy during WWII serving from May 1942-Jan 1946. The Naval Construction Force, better known as the Seabees, was established on 5 March 1942. The 13th US Naval Construction Battalion, colloquially known as the "Black Cat Battalion" was commissioned on 13 July 1942 at Camp Allen, Norfolk Virginia where Burton was at Boot Camp and he reported to them on 14 July 1942. On 18 August 1942, the 13th Naval Construction Battalion embarked on board the U.S.S. Chaumont at Port Hueneme, California and arrived at Dutch Harbor on 26 Aug 1942. It was his first sea voyage and was amazed at seeing whales. He worked in a warehouse and was there until 14 Aug 1943 when he embarked on the U.S.S. Chaumont and returned to Port Hueneme, California. He transferred to the 140th Naval Construction Battalion on 14 Mar 1944. On 20 May 1944 the 140th embarked on board the M.S. Bloemfontein for duty outside the United States. He crossed the equator on 30 May 1944 and the International Date Line on 4 Jun 1944. The unit disembarked at Manus Island, Admiralty Islands, on June 18, 1944. He worked at the Water Treatment Plant there and supplied fresh water to incoming ships. On April 18, 1945, he was commended by the Commander of the Seventh Fleet for participation in the construction and maintenance of a critical Naval Base used for the repair and supply of fighting ships of the Fleet with upmost efficiency which contributed materially to the successful operation of Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Area of Operations during the period of June 1944 to February 1945. He received the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon and a Victory Medal. He received an Honorable Discharge as a Water Tender Third Class.
Throughout his life he embodied the Seabees " Can Do" moto. Following his service in WWII, he graduated from the Charleston School of Commerce with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Burton was in the financing and banking field for 35 years. He was an organizer, director and executive officer of the former Citizens National Bank of St. Albans, now part of Chase Bank. Burton and Martha returned to the Beckley area in 1995, after living in the Charleston area for 37 years. He was dedicated to his family and believed in civic duty. Burton was a member of the American Legion, the Seabee Historical Foundation and the Sons of the American Revolution with 3 documented Revolutionary War ancestors. In 2003, Burton was awarded the Leonard Jarrett Award by the Lions Club in appreciation and recognition of his distinguished service for sight and hearing by the WV Lions Sight Conservation. Burton was an active volunteer at the VA Hospital in Beckley for over 7 years with over 1700 volunteer hours and has been recognized for his service. He was a member of the Perry Memorial Methodist Church of Shady Spring and American Legion Post 32.
He enjoyed traveling, highlights included trips to Europe, Australia, Argentina and Brazil.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Martha Ann Creger Gunter, on 27 October 2020, his brothers; Donald Jackson and Larry Gunter and his sisters; Thelma Gunter Plotkin Varley, Nyla Gunter Hinkle and Mona Ruth Gunter Saykally.
Those survivors left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Martha Jane Gunter Linkenhoker and husband Roger of Scott Depot, WV; his son, Michael Gunter and wife Emer of Scottsdale, AZ; five grandchildren, J.C. Jarrett, Haley Jarrett Brogan, Danielle Jarrett Neitz(Josh), Liadan and Ciara Gunter; four great grandchildren, Payton Jarrett, Tommy and Scarlett Brogan and Syd Neitz; two brothers, Glenn Gunter of Venice, Fl and Dale Gunter of Beckley, WV; and two sisters, Bea Gunter Jacobson and June Gunter McGraw of Myrtle Beach, NC.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers B.J. , Jennifer and Trish for their tender loving care.
A graveside service will be held at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 130 Academy Drive, Dunbar, WV on Monday December 27, 2021 at 2 PM. For those who wish to attend the service, we request that facial coverings be worn and social distancing is practiced.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the WVU Foundation - Scholarship #3Z902 ( https://secure.give.wvu.edu/give ) or the MD Anderson Cancer Center - Gunter Endowment Cancer Research ( https://gifts.mdanderson.org/default.aspx?tsid=10503 ).
Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.meltonmortuary.com.
Arrangements are by Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center | 1200 Harper Road | Beckley, WV 25801
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