Walter G. Hunt

Walter G. Hunt, 93, Hannibal, Mo., went to be with Jesus at 12:25 a.m., Sunday, July 30, 2023, at Beth Haven Nursing Home in Hannibal.

Walter was born Nov. 2, 1929, in Marion County, Mo., to William and Caroline Lehenbauer Hunt. He was first married to Betty Jean Browning on Nov. 14, 1954 in Hannibal. She preceded him in death on Nov. 21, 1969. He later married Lou Ella Doscher Begley on Oct. 10, 1970 in Hannibal. She survives.

Other survivors include his three children, Deborah Perry, Palmyra, Mo.; Don Hunt (Kim), Hannibal; and Nancy Lovercheck (Jason), Hannibal; three stepchildren, Steve Begley (Karen), Palmyra; Karen Burditt (Jeff), New London, Mo.; and Simon Begley (Janet), Overland Park, Kan.; one sister, Hilda Lahr (Paul), LaGrange, Mo.; two sisters-in-law, Linda Rice (Tim), Owatonna, Minn.; and Roberta Hunt, Burnsville, Minn.; seven grandchildren, John Perry (Tori), William Perry (Tamra), Elizabeth Perry (Amanda), Matthew Perry (Beth), Joshua Hunt (Casey), Lyndsey Shinn (Rick) and Rebekah Lovercheck; 11 step-grandchildren, Justin Begley (Tracy), Michelle Munoz, Megan Gottman (Jamie), Dulcie Stewart (Jared), Tory Smith (Drew), Jason Long (Katelyn), Jesse Long (Dawn), Leslie Ohse (Kurtis), Emma Trenhaile (Paul), Erica Henningsen (Eric) and Aaron Begley (Amanda Thompson); 38 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Wilbert Hunt; one sister, Norma Earlywine; brother-in-law, Merlin Earlywine; one son-in-law, Carl Perry; and one stepson, Edwin “Butch” Begley.

Walter was drafted into the United States Army and served from September of 1951 to June of 1953. During this time, he spent 13 months in Korea.

He started work at Underwood Company when they first opened in March of 1972. He was #16 on the original time clock. He worked for Underwood and then PET, Inc., until he retired in February of 1995, after 23 years of service.

A Hannibal High School class of 1947 graduate, Walter had worked several occupations over the years in addition to working at the Underwood Company. He first worked as a farmhand on the family dairy farm, then later at the shoe factory, at the Tempo Store and at the Adams Hy-Klas Grocery store in Hannibal.

Away from work, Walter loved being outside and liked tending to his vegetable garden. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, being a jokester, and singing in the church choir. A talented cook, Walter made the best meatloaf and turkey dressing for his family. 

One of Walter’s proudest moments was going on the Great River Honor Flight in 2014 and being accompanied by his son, Don. The two most important things in Walter’s life were God and his family, and he cherished every moment spent with his family and friends.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 3, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hannibal. Pastor Eric Carlson will officiate.

Burial with full military honors by the Emmette J. Shields American Legion Post #55 will follow at Grand View Burial Park in Hannibal.

Pallbearers will be John Perry, William Perry, Matthew Perry, Joshua Hunt, Jason Lovercheck and Steve Begley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Walter’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to Walter’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 2, at the James O’Donnell Funeral Home in Hannibal.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church of Hannibal, or American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be shared and video tribute may be viewed at www.JamesODonnellFuneralHome.com.