Charles William Hunt

Charles William Hunt, 89, passed away very peacefully on January 16, 2018, in Lakeland, Florida. His gentle spirit will be missed by his many friends and family members. Charles (Chuck) was born on February, 7, 1928 in Linesville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania to Stephen C. and Florence A. (Greenfield) Hunt. In 1945, at age 17 he joined the army, but was assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps and served with the USMC 18th Engineering Corp. in China as a cook. He returned to the U.S., was honorably discharged in 1950, but was recalled to active duty for Korea. He served another year as a baker for the Mess Hall at the Engineering Battalion School at Camp LeJeune, NC, where he was promoted to the rank of Sargent. He hitchhiked back to Meadville, Pennsylvania on weekends to be with his family and hometown sweetheart Laura Jean Baker. They were married on April 15, 1951, the same year he was again honorably discharged from the Marines. Their daughter Jeanne Carol was born on October 19, 1952. Chuck went to work at the Talon Co. in Meadville and apprenticed in the Tool and Die trade. In 1954, the family moved to Columbus, Ohio, where they joined Laura’s sister Helen and her husband John Richard Shaffer and their two children, happily visiting back and forth and celebrating holidays together. Chuck found Tool and Die work at the General Motors Ternstedt Plant and other second jobs while he attended Ohio State University. They bought a house in Hilliard, Ohio, where his brother Albert joined them. He helped Albert gain employment and establish a home there. Chuck graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Education in 1965 and moved his family to Perrysburg, Ohio to take a teaching post at Penta Technical College. While teaching, he earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration at Bowling Green State University. His diligent work paid off and he was promoted to dean of the school. When he retired in 1990, Chuck and Laura moved to Highland Fairways in Lakeland, Florida where they enjoyed playing golf together. Always kind, courteous and helpful, with keen senses of humor, the two made many friends throughout the community. Laura’s sister Helen, with husband Richard, moved next to them in Highland Fairways in 1995. Chuck participated in league play at Highland Fairways as well as Polk County Senior Games, winning medals at both local and state levels of competition. He diligently served on the Homeowner’s Board of Governance for many years and after taking IRS training, he helped people file their taxes. As a member of the Highland Fairways Citizens Assisted Patrol (CAP) program, he was recently honored by Sheriff Grady Judd for his 7 years of volunteer service. He was active in the Veterans’ Club and participated in the first Honor Flight that flew out of Lakeland’s Linder Airport in November 2013. Chuck and Laura were active members of the United Methodist Temple where he ushered and taught church school. He lost the loves of his life when Laura Jean died on December 31, 1995 and when his daughter Jeanne Carol died on August 29, 2013, both from melanoma. He was further predeceased by his siblings Albert L. Hunt and Virginia Hunt Graham. Survivors include a son-in-law, Donald McGinnis of Perrysburg, Ohio, his grandchildren, Shawn Michael McGinnis (Dana) of Speedway, IN, Victoria Joy McGinnis Taylor (Jack) of Swanton, Ohio, and four great-grandsons. He is also survived by four nieces and one nephew. Interment will be at Greendale Cemetery in Meadville, PA.

Charles William Hunt

February 7, 1928 - January 16, 2018