J.E. Hunter, 83, Died Early Sunday At His Farm Home
..Former County Commissioner from Second District Passed Away After a Brief Illness
J. E. Hunter, one of Lincoln county's best-known citizens passed away unexpectedly early Sunday morning at his home north of Lincoln. Death followed a heart attack.
A resident of Lincoln county since 1877, Mr. Hunter was aged 83 years at the time of his death. All of his life he had been a farmer, coming here from Iowa as a young man to farm in this locality.
In October 1884, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Jane Burkepile. Their marriage to 60 years was broken by Mrs. Hunter's death August 15, 1945. They were the parents of 15 children, only one of whom, Arthur, preceded his parents in death.
Mr. Hunter will long be remembered as one of the county's most influential citizens. Always interested in the welfare of his neighbors and friends, Mr. Hunter unselfishly devoted much of his time to boosting good roads, improved farming methods and above all, better schools. For eight years, 1912 to 1920, Mr. Hunter was a member of the Board of Lincoln County Commissioners, representing the second district. During his last term of office he served as chairman of the board.
In spite of advancing years, Mr. Hunter became seriously ill and was a patient in a Salina hospital for many weeks following a gall bladder operation. His excellent constitution brought him through the ordeal and he made an almost miraculous recovery for the illness. Following Mrs. Hunter's death late last summer, Mr. Hunter went to Wichita for the winter months to be with a daughter who teaches in the Wichita schools. He had returned to the farm north of Lincoln only a few weeks ago. He had greatly enjoyed his "vacation" in Wichita but had been especially happy to be back on the farm again. His last days were spent in the home he had loved many, many years.
Funeral services are to be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon from the Lincoln Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. W. Clyde Wolfe of Wilson. At the grave side in Minneapolis cemetery, members of the Barnard Masonic Lodge will conduct their commitment ceremony.
Mr. Hunter's surviving children are: Mrs. Edith Little, Ruth and Bertha Hunter, Wayne Hunter, all of the home; Will Hunter, Mrs. Anna Hart, Barnard; Mrs. Neva Will, Vesper; Hardin and Harlan Hunter of Lincoln; Roy Hunter, Jewel; Mrs. Cora Smith, Mrs. Elsie Cole, Beverly; Lawrence Hunter, Alton; Mrs. Florence Parsons, El Cerrito, Calif.
---Taken from the Lincoln (Kansas) Sentinel-Republican