Hunter, Benedict G. Sr.

HUNTER, REED, LOAR, STROBBE, SCHOLD, DIETZEN, KOLESKI, MANSHIP, FARNHAM

Posted By: carol (email)
Date: 10/10/2005 at 14:24:49

Benedict Gerald Hunter Sr., 91, of DeWitt, Iowa, died peacefully Friday, May 20, 2005, at Iowa Masonic Nursing Center, in Bettendorf. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, DeWitt. Visitation will be Monday, May 23, 2005, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Gathering Space, DeWitt, where a prayer service will follow. Memorials can be made to St. Joseph's Church or to Iowa Masonic Nursing Center. Nelson Funeral Home, Dewitt, is in charge of arrangements.
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 1980's after selling the various aspects of his business.
Ben married Gladys Loar on Oct. 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 Dec. 31, 1942, and during his stateside training, Gladys followed him to Aberdeen, Md. 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, Ill., Sally Dietzen (Mike) Lake Zurich, Ill.; 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, Wis., and Mary Ann Manship, Coolidge, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Isabelle Farnham, Boulder, Colo.; 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.
Published in the Quad-City Times on 5/22/2005.