George Keith Hunt, 17 Aug 1925 - 14 Apr 2018

HUNT, BECKMAN, MYERS, STONE, STONE-SMITH, SCHMINKE, SMITH, MADISON

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 10/24/2018 at 14:45:42

Funeral service for (George) Keith Hunt, 92, Oskaloosa, was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, in the Bates Funeral Chapel, Oskaloosa. He died Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Crystal Heights Care Center, Oskaloosa.

Pastor Alvern Boetsma officiated at the service. Graveside military honors were given by the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. Burial was in the Forest Cemetery, Oskaloosa.

Memorials may be made to the Mahaska County Cattleman Association.

(George) Keith Hunt was born Aug. 17, 1925, near Peoria, Iowa, the son of George and Wilma Beckman Hunt. He graduated from Lacey High School in 1943. Following graduation, he went to work driving truck for Archie Long Trucking in New Sharon. On Nov. 21, 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Pratt. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on July 21, 1946. Upon his discharge he returned to Mahaska County.

On June 5, 1948, he married (Norma) Jean Myers at Oskaloosa. She died Dec. 20, 2009. Early on, the couple moved to a farm near Peoria, where they farmed for a short time, before moving to a farm southwest of Rose Hill. In 1952, they moved onto the McCurdy farm near Rose Hill. He operated that farm until 1967, when they moved to their farm west of Oskaloosa. They owned and operated that farm until retiring in 1993.

In addition to farming, Keith drove a school bus for the Oskaloosa Community School district for 19 years. He enjoyed driving the bus and interacting with the students. He believed in giving back to the agriculture community in Mahaska County. He gave selflessly of his time and talent to many organizations including Mahaska County Cattleman, Mahaska County Pork Producers, I.S.U. Extension Council, Southern Iowa Fair Beef Superintendent and ASCS County Committee and various other committees. He was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed being on the farm, especially tending to his cows and calves. Camping at the Iowa State Fair was a long-time family tradition for Keith and his family. He always looked forward to 2:30 in the afternoon and heading in to McDonald’s for coffeetime with his friends. He delighted in spending time with his family.

Keith is survived by two children, Judy (Tom) Stone, University Park, and George (Sheila) Hunt, North English; five grandchildren, Kelli Stone-Smith, A.J. (Marie) Stone, Melissa Hunt, Kristin (Dion) Schminke and Devin (Holly) Hunt; six great-grandchildren, Aimee Smith, Justin Smith, Connor Stone, Maci Hunt, Jack Hunt and Grayson Schminke; a brother, Kenneth Hunt, Lacey; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Betty Madison.

Journal Tribune Apr 25, 2018