Robert G. Hunter Jr.
Robert G. Hunter Jr., 89, of Butler went to be with his Lord at 7:45 a.m. Sunday. He passed away at home with his loving family by his side.
For a year, he fought a strong and courageous battle with congestive heart failure. While fighting this battle, he was taken care of at home by his loving wife of 65 years, Esther.
Born May 8, 1923, in Steubenville, Ohio, he was the son of the late Robert Garrard and Eleanor (Hinterlang) Hunter.
Bob served in World War II in the U.S. Air Force as an aerial photographer aboard a B17. His crew was based in Fogi, Italy. They flew bombing raids over Germany. While on his 32nd mission, with only one more to go, his plane was shot down over Augsburg, Germany. It burst into flames as he parachuted 25,000 feet. The enemy was waiting, they took him prisoner and he was beaten and abused. He was moved to three different prison camps. He ended up at Mooseburg, Germany, where he was later liberated by Gen. George Patton's Army. He received the Purple Heart for the wounds he received.
Bob was a 1940 graduate of Butler High School and attended the Babson Institute in Boston, Mass. One of Bob's first jobs was running the elevator at the Butler County Courthouse. He later worked at Heckett and ARMCO. His last job was at the Diamond Alkali chemical plant in Ohio.
Throughout his years, Bob enjoyed horse races and was an avid hunter and fisherman.He will be sadly missed and loved by his family and friends. He had a very special place in his heart for two of his nieces, Rae Weitzel and Bradene Kaltenbach, both of Butler, who were there when called and needed throughout his last days, right till the end.He is survived by his wife, Esther Weitzel Hunter, who he married Dec. 15, 1947; his daughter, Patricia Jean Marzullo and her husband, Matthew Marzullo; two grandchildren who he deeply adored, Kyle Jacob McElravy and Kierstyn Jean McElravy, all of Chicora; one brother, Thomas Hunter of Texas; and a number of nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his brother, David Hunter.
HUNTER — Friends of Robert G. Hunter Jr., who passed away Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, will be received at the Young Funeral Home, 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.Services will be at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Thursday with his nephew, the Rev. Robert Zanicky, officiating. Military honors will be at the funeral home following the service. Interment will be in North Cemetery, Butler.Information also is available at www.youngfuneralhomes.com.
