Rev. Clyde K. Hunter

The Rev. Clyde K. Hunter, 88, of La Porte, Indiana, died peacefully on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Miller Health & Rehab in La Porte, surrounded by loving family.  Clyde was born in Harrison Township, Delaware County, IN, on May 30, 1929, to Charles K. Hunter and Uva Pearl (King) Hunter, who preceded him in death.  He graduated from Harrison Township H.S. in 1947, later earning his B.S. from Taylor University, his M.S. from Ball State University, and his Ed.D. from Indiana University Bloomington.

On July 4, 1951, in Mooreland, IN, Clyde married Doris Irene Bantz who survives.  He is also survived by three children:  Caleb (Debora) of Mill Creek, Mark L. (Ria) of Carrollton, TX, and Ruth E. (Marc) Henn of Cincinnati, OH; 10 grandchildren:  Elizabeth (Brent) VanHook, Brian Hunter, Michael Hunter, Mark Andrew Hunter, Rebekah Smithey, Rachel Henn, Aleigha Henn, Marisa Henn, Miriam Henn, and Rivers Henn; 5 great-grandchildren: Grace and Matthew VanHook, Jeanette Goodlin, and Gavin and Aiden Brown; 1 sister, Willetta (James) Vest of Muncie; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.  Clyde was preceded in death by his brother, James L. (Helen) Hunter of Indianapolis and by three sisters:  Irene (Jesse) Reck of Daleville, Rachel (Kenneth) Hiestand of Gaston, and Catherine (Bernell) Mitchell of Muncie.

Clyde helped establish the Bethel Home Place for Boys near Gaston from 1957-1961.  Clyde pastored several churches in Indiana:  First Christian Church in Mooreland (1950-1954); Christian Churches of Merom and South Vigo near Terre Haute (1954-1957); Old Union and Clifford Christian Churches near Edinburg and Columbus (1965-1972); Mellott and Wingate Churches near Lafayette (1972-1975); Pleasant Hill Christian Church near Union City (1975-1979); St. Luke United Church of Christ in San Pierre (1980-1989); and Zion U.C.C. in Lawrenceburg (1989-1994).  After retirement, Clyde served as interim pastor to several area U.C.C. churches.  He attended St. Paul U.C.C. in La Porte and St. John’s U.C.C. in Michigan City.

Upon retirement, Clyde, affectionately known as "Pappy" by many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, made it his priority to spend quality time with family at every opportunity. He and Doris were quite the inseparable team, so thankful for the blessing of remaining in their home together all these years, fruitful in cultivating vegetables, flowers, family, and friends.  Pappy appreciated poetry, having memorized many pieces over the years, which he was known to use to accentuate a point in public and private communications. As his kids and grandkids, we were the recipients of many bear hugs, drawings of red hearts on little ones’ hands, prayers, competitive Scrabble games, stories (including that of Peter Rabbit taking up residence in his backyard), walks and play times in the yard and park, often on specially made or restored play equipment he supplied. Some recall a hand-made tree house, backyard playset, tire swing, and possibly the "piece de resistance" in the living room:  the wooden rocking horse playfully known as "Ginger."  On ‘most any occasion, Pappy was apt to have his camera in hand. Calling for a pose, "Ready, set, glow!" he marked events through innumerable family photos, meticulously recording the people and details on the backs, for each occasion.

With his expressed goal to continue to grow in God's unconditional love, we saw God faithful in answering that prayer to the very end, even as Pappy humbly struggled through the waning of his great physical strength. We will not forget his heroic fight.  'Til death did he not depart from his devotion to God, intent on sharing His love and life with his beloved wife, friends, and family.  We love you, Pappy!!

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 6 PM (CST) on Friday, March 9, 2018, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2900 Monroe Street, La Porte, IN  46350.  A time of visitation will be held from 4 - 6 PM (CST) on Friday at the funeral home.

A funeral service will take place at 2 PM (EST) on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at Bethel Church, 12110 W. Bethel Avenue, Muncie, IN  47304.  A time of visitation will be held from 12 - 2 PM (EST) on Saturday at the church.  Interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery across from the church, “on the path to the bath” of the old Bethel Church.

Memorial contributions in Clyde's name may be made to Bethel Church or Cemetery; Beauty for Ashes Transitional Home (Muncie Mission, P. O. Box 2349, Muncie, IN  47307) or to other Christian charities.

Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.