James D. Gunter

James D. Gunter, 88, of Elida, passed away on October 22, 2021, at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s.  He was born on October 9, 1933, in Adams County, IN to Chelsea L. and Dulcie W. (Ketchum) Wyant who later divorced.  His mother later married Dayton G. Gunter who adopted James on October 9, 1942, thus changing his name to James D. Gunter.   On September 26, 1953, he was united in marriage to Mary M. Adelblue in Decatur, IN.  She survives in Elida.

James is also survived by three daughters, Sandra K. (Dan) Fry of Bedford, VA, Catherine A. (Stephen) Arganbright of Oregon, and Brenda S. (Robert) Huenke of Elida; and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

James attended school in Decatur, IN, Malinta, Delphos and Ohio City, OH.  He graduated from Cambridge Academy in Stuart, FL.  He also attended Northwestern Business College where he took courses in Real Estate Principles & Practice and Real Estate Law.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on October 27, 1954.  His basic training was done at Fort Knox and he then attended Army General School in Fort Riley, KS where he graduated as an Intelligence Analyst.  He was assigned to the 513th Military Intelligence Group in Oberursel, Germany serving during the German Occupation.  After being discharged in 1956, he worked for Nickel Plate Railroad which became Norfolk & Western Railway Co. which became Norfolk Southern Corp.  He worked 44 years retiring in 1995 as an Agent in Lima.  He had also worked in Decatur, Ft. Wayne, and Muncie IN.  Along with this, he worked part time jobs as a Salesman for Rohrer Realty for four years, a Supervisor for Indiana Janitor Service for ten years; a salesman for Goodwin Furniture for four years, and a salesman for The Home Store for three years.  James also served on the Board of Directors for L. E. & W. District Federal Credit Union for ten years, and the Board of Directors for Nickel Steel Federal Credit Union for five years.

James was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Elida where he served as Sunday School Teacher, Financial Secretary, Head Usher, and was a member of the Missionary Committee.  

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 25, 2021, at Harter and Schier Funeral Home in Delphos.   Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City.  Pastor Thomas Cooper will officiate.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 until the time of the funeral. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Baptist Church in Elida.