JOHN GUNTER

1911 - 1999

John Gunter, beloved husband of Anna Gunter, passed away peacefully in Taber on Wednesday, August 18, 1999 at the age of 88 years.
John was born on February 12, 1911 in Hague, Saskatchewan, the son of Isaac and Katerina Gunter. John and Anna were married on April 1, 1934 and lived and worked on a farm near McMahon, Saskatchewan. He also worked as a barber and a Watkins salesman, but his leisure time was spent playing in a dance band. He played four instruments, but the grandchildren's favorites were the harmonica and the violin.
In 1939 he travelled to Picture Butte to work on a sugar beet farm for the summer, then went back to McMahon. As there was no future there, the family moved to the Taber area in 1946 and John worked for a brick layer. By 1948 he started his own stucco and plaster business. From 1955 to 1959, the family lived in Barnwell, where John owned and operated Gunter’s Grocery. During this time, he continued his stucco business. When he retired in 1976, it was difficult to find a building in the area that hadn’t been stuccoed, plastered or drywalled by John.
During retirement, he loved to go fishing and camping with Anna and often the grandchildren were invited. In 1983 he was the Taber Fish and Game Sportsman of the Year. He also enjoyed playing pool, and was known to win the odd tournament.
Accustomed to working with his hands, he continued to assist his family and friends with renovations to their homes.
John had a great sense of humour that was evident even while in failing health. His high moral standards will have a lasting influence on his children and grandchildren.
Besides his wife Anna, John will be forever missed by sons Norman (Karen) of Sherwood Park and their children Shelley (Gary) Kindrachuk of Kelowna, British Columbia and Sheryl of Courtney, British Columbia; Marvin (Myrna) of Calgary and their children Jason of Calgary and Todd of Victoria, British Columbia; Jim (Leslie) of Calgary and their children Cara of Lethbridge and Jeri of Calgary; Ross (Noreen) of Lethbridge and their children Andrea (Mel) Hubert, Phil and Jon all of Lethbridge; daughter Jean (George) Holman and their children Lynne (Doug) Wedel, great-granddaughter, Staci, and Lori (Neil) Valgardson, great-grandchildren Kristen and Jared all of Taber; daughter-in-law, Mary of Kelowna, British Columbia and her children Darrell of Kelowna, British Columbia and Robbie (Kathy) of Abbotsford, British Columbia. He is also survived by two brothers James (Betty) of Lethbridge and David (Jeanette) of Thunder Bay, Ontario; three sisters, Mary Dyck of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Justina Buffett of Castlegar, British Columbia and Susan (Reinhold) Babitski of Medicine Hat; sister-in-law Agnes Guenther of Lethbridge as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
John was predeceased by his parents, three brothers, two sisters and by his son Don in 1998.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, August 20, 1999 from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service was held at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, August 21, 1999 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Ken Crassweller officiating. Interment will followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in John’s name may be made directly to the Special Care Unit in care of the Taber Hospital Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.