Lonnie Omer Gunter

Lonnie Omer Gunter, Jr., 92, of Shady Spring, passed away at home Sunday, July 1, 2012. Born February 16, 1920 in Beckley, he was the son of the late Lonnie Omer and Maude Hatcher Gunter. He was preceded in death by sisters, Ardis Lively, Margaret Ann Comet and Jean Elizabeth Young and brothers Nolan and Ronald Gunter. Lonnie was a retired electrician / small motor repairman at the family owned Gunter Electric Shop. He was a veteran of WW II serving with the 5th and 2nd Marine Division. Lonnie was a member for over 60 years and deacon of the First Baptist Church Beckley. He made four mission trips to Nicaragua. He was a member of the American Legion, Rough and Tumble Steam Threshers Reunion Association, Collis P. Huntington Railroad Association and the Holiday Rambler Travel Trailer Club. Among his many interests were family, travel, music, camping and hiking in the New River Gorge. He was an Industrial Archeologist. He collected antique cars, steam engines, gasoline engines and toys to add to his museum.
He is survived by his wife Norma Jean Arthur Gunter; daughters, Kelley Porterfield (Mark) of Clayton, WV, Marcia Gabor (Steve) of Columbus, OH; grandchildren, Robert Blankenship (Lori) of Princeton, Charles Blankenship (Amber) of Clayton, WV, Clayton Blankenship (Briddy) of Rich Creek, VA, Lauren Gabor of Columbus, OH; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Kira Belle and Jordan; brother, Michael Gunter (Joyce); sisters-in-law, Carrie Wray, Gail Bartlett, Deanna Arthur, Betty Gunter; brother-in-law, David Arthur; nieces and nephews, Nolan Dane, David, Sarah, Arthur, Beverly, George, Becky, Peggy, Nancy, Ronnie, Daniel, Theresa, Kathy, Todd, Kevin, Matthew, Andrea and numerous other family members.
Due to power outages cased by Friday’s storm, funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 6, 2012, at the Cross Point Church of God, 110 Crescent Rd. with Rev. Grant Petit officiating. Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Beckley. Friends may visit with the family from 6-8 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to service on Friday.
Pallbearers will be Charles Blankenship, Clayton Blankenship, Kevin Bartlett, Todd Bartlett, Steve Gabor and George Young.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the First Baptist Church Beckley Capital Funds Campaign, 422 Neville St., Beckley, WV 25801
On line condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.