Earl Hunziker

EARL E. HUNZIKER

Earl E. Hunziker, age 95, of Kahoka, MO, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 in the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka.

Earl was born at home on December 29, 1924, the son of Glenn Arthur and Ernestine Kennedy Hunziker. He was the 5th of six children.

Earl always had a ready smile for everyone; hence his nickname, "Shine," short for sunshine. He "never met a stranger" adopting his father’s saying that, "there is no such thing as a stranger, only friends you haven’t met yet." He was well known as a man of integrity and honesty, believing your word and your handshake were just as binding as any written contract. He taught his children the same, as well as a strong work ethic and belief in God.

He was united in marriage on December 14, 1952, to Gladys McMurray of Keokuk, IA, at the Wayland United Methodist Church. They had two boys and two girls: Gary, Curtis, Debra and Joni.

Earl farmed with his father until he was drafted into the service at age 18. Basic training was at Fort Sill, OK. He trained at radio school as a forward observer for the artillery. He was at Fort Meade, MD, then Camp Stoneman, CA, the Philippines, and then on to Japan. General Eisenhower came to Japan, and Earl was one of his honor guards. He was on guard on the beach beside the USS Missouri the night before the Armistice was signed, ending the war. He was in the army from 1944 to 1946, becoming a staff sergeant.

In Winchester, MO, where Earl grew up, there was a local dance hall where Earl’s father played the fiddle, his mother played the piano, and Earl played the guitar for dances. Anyone who had an instrument could play, also. In Earl’s spare time, he liked to play ball, fish, hunt and make his own bows and arrows for his hunting. He went with friends on a number of deer hunting trips to Wisconsin and Colorado. He also participated in many archery clubs in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. He won a number of trophies, ribbons and plaques. He had his picture and articles about him published a number of times in Bow Hunting Magazine and Field and Stream Magazine. He once won a silver mug in a "Big Buck" contest by Bow Hunting Magazine for the largest deer killed. He got the deer with a bow and arrows he had made himself. He never bought a bow or arrows; he always made his own.

Earl was a wonderful husband and father. He loved spending time with family and spent many vacations traveling with them to state fairs, the World Fair, Worlds of Fun, Disney World and The Ozarks. Once the children were grown, Earl and Gladys spent their winters in Mission, TX, where they spent a lot of time doing the things together they most loved: dancing to the Big Bands, and playing golf.

Earl retired when he was 66 and turned the farm over to his younger son, who later bought the farm and machinery. During retirement, a friend talked Earl into trying golf. He loved it, and they later bought a home in Hamilton, IL, close to Deer Run Golf Course, where Earl played five days or more a week.

Earl was a member of the Board of Directors for the Lewis County Rural Electric co-op for 18 years. He served on the Board of Directors for Pleasant Hill School while his children went there, and then later for Gravel Hill School Board of Directors. He was an active member of the Bluff Springs United Methodist Church, where he was on the Board of Trustees, served as an usher and also helped dig many graves at the Bluff Springs Cemetery. Later, he was an active member of the Hamilton United Methodist Church, and is now a member of the Kahoka United Methodist Church, though his health has kept him from attending church in Kahoka.

He is a lifetime member of the Hamilton-Warsaw Post #9269, Veterans of Foreign Wars. He belongs to the St. Francisville Lodge # 588, A.F. and A.M. where he received 50-, 60- and 70- year pins. He was a member of Missouri Bow Hunters, National Bow Hunters, ILLIAMO Archery Club, Deer Run Golf Club, and P.G.A. Golf Association. He was a great fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, seldom missing watching a game.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents: Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Hunziker, father-in-law, Joseph McMurray, mother-in-law, Ruth McMurray; brother, Glenn Hunziker, Jr.; three sisters: Nettie Bash, Wilma Boudreau and Leona "Tootie" Roach; three sisters-in-law, Lenora Hunziker, Beverly McMurray and Sandra McMurray; seven brothers-in-law: Marshall Bash, Jr., Robert Boudreau, Roland Roach, Dean Wood, Joe McMurray, Roy McMurray and Victor Anthony.

Earl is survived by his wife of 67 years, Gladys, of Kahoka, MO; two sons: Gary (Liz) Hunziker of Plano, TX; Curtis (Julie) Hunziker of Canton, MO; two daughters: Debra Hunziker of Quincy, IL and Joni (Chris) Roberson of Phoenix, AZ; two granddaughters: Melanie (Jonathan) Curlett of Phoenix, AZ and Coty Hunziker of Canton, MO; three grandsons: Drew Hunziker of Dallas, TX, Logan Hunziker of Canton, MO and Loren Roberson of Phoenix, AZ; three great granddaughters: Jocelyn and Caroline Curlett of Phoenix, AZ and Vivian Nguyen of Canton, MO; a sister, Pauline Wood of Mt. Zion, IL; two sisters-in-law: Betty Anthony of Ft. Madison, IA and Lois Hunziker of Kahoka, MO; three brothers-in-law: Don McMurray of Bosier, LA, M. Carl McMurray of Hebron, KY, and Fred McMurray of Keokuk, IA; as well as other relatives.

A Funeral Service together with a Masonic Service and Military Rites was held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Pastor Shawn McAfee officiating.

Burial followed in the Kahoka Cemetery.

Friends could call at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka after 10 a.m. Sunday, and family received friends from 12:30 p.m. until services at 2:00.

Memorials were suggested to the Kahoka Cemetery.

On-line condolences could be expressed at www.wilsonfuneralservice.com.

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Friends may call at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka after 10 a.m. Sunday with family receiving friends from 12:30 until 2:00.