Submited by: Dan Rich

Phillip Verl Hunter

Sept. 9, 1918 - Dec. 20, 2006

South Bend Tribune 12/22/2006

Phillip Verl Hunter, 88, of Granger, Ind., died following an illness at 7:54 a.m. Wednesday, December 20, 2006, in Memorial Hospital. Mr. Hunter was born September 9, 1918, in Sturgis, Mich., to the late Clifford Willis and Lulu May (Harding) Hunter, and had lived in South Bend most of his life, coming from Sturgis.

On November 2, 1946, in South Bend, he married Mary Catherine Drain, who preceded him in death December 12, 1977. In 1982 he married Jeanne Eckert, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Cynthia Hunter-Cockman (Len) of South Bend; a son, Joseph C. Hunter (Margaret) of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a stepdaughter, Barbara Eckert Rock (Robert) of Plantation, Fla.; a stepson, William Eckert (Stephanie) of Carmel, Ind.; nine grandchildren, Christiann MacLean, C. Hunter MacLean, Andrew Cockman, Jane Hunter-Zook (Dan), Mike Rock, Steve Rock (Dana), John McConnell (Jody), Anna McConnell and David Eckert. He was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Overlease, and a brother, C. Wayne Hunter.

Phil retired as the owner of Hunter Electric, Inc., and was a member of IBEW Local #153. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II where he served as a mechanic. Our dad and grandpa was a product of the Great Depression and a member of the Greatest Generation. He was gruff on the outside but loved his family greatly on the inside. We learned that honesty, hard work, an education and loyalty must be valued. He taught by example, not by words. Our dad and grandpa could fix and repair anything -- from cars, furniture, clocks, washing machines, to garden equipment. He loved the earth, recognized bird songs, and could identify all varieties of trees and plants. He harvested fruits and vegetables all summer long. Our dad and grandpa was married to two angels on earth -- Mary Catherine and Jeanne Eckert. Our extended family was richly blessed by their unions. He was a rich person because he needed the least. His family and friends beside him were his only needs. Even though our dad and grandpa lived 88 years, it is "too soon to say goodbye." He was always there for us. "And now faith, hope and love abide, the three; and the greatest of these is love."

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 23rd, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today, December 22nd, in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.