Lee Charles Hunter
Aug. 30, 1885-Jan. 25, 1926
Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 25, 1926, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library
LEE HUNTER DIES AT ST. JOSEPH AFTER OPERATION
Passes Away Early This A.M. After Going Under Knife
HAD BEEN ILL FOR TWO YEARS
Ulcers of Stomach Had Caused Complications
Lee Hunter, 40, died this morning at 6 o'clock at the St. Joseph Sanitarium in St. Joseph where he had an operation on Sunday afternoon. The announcement received early this morning came as a shock and caused widespread regret in the community where, for more than 25 years, Mr. Hunter had been well known as a boy in the Niles schools, and, as he grew to manhood, through his business, social, church and fraternal relations.
Mr. Hunter had been in ill health for about two years, and had for a number of weeks been under the care of a specialist for relief from stomach trouble and other complications. After his ill health had been diagnosed as caused from an ulcer of the stomach and an operation seemed imperative he went to St. Joseph Sanitarium last Wednesday.
The operation was performed Sunday afternoon, and although it was regarded as a serous operation, Mr. Hunter rallied remarkably well, early last evening engaged in conversation with his wife, and assured her that he was very comfortable. Mrs. Hunter went to a home nearby to remain for the night, and this morning at 5 o'clock Dr. Yeoman, who had remained throughout the night at his bedside, directed that she be summoned as Mr. Hunter was sinking.
However, Mr. Hunter was not at all conscious that his condition was more serious and spoke encouragingly to his wife. He soon, however, dropped to a peaceful sleep from which he did not awaken.
Mr. Hunter was born in Chicago, August 30, 1885, an only son of Mrs. and Mrs. Lamont Hunter. The family moved to Niles about 25 years ago, and had since resided here. When the Hunter company, makers of ice and ice cream was established, Lee Hunter became at once associated in the business and had for a number of years been president and manager of the company whose plant is located at Ninth and Hickory streets.
On October 16, 1909, Mr. Hunter was married in Niles to Miss Zennetta Hanchett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.B. Hanchett when they resided in Niles and now reside in Buchanan. Mr. Hunter is survived by his widow, two children, Jane and Frederick Hunter and by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lamont Hunter of Niles.
The deceased was a member of St. Joseph Lodge, No. 4 F. and A.M. of St. Joseph Valley chapter, N.2,4 and A.M of Niles Council No. 19 R & S.M. He had served as master of St. Joseph Valley lodge. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and was secretary of the board of trustees, and an usher in the church.
The funeral will be announced tomorrow and me [sic] be under the Masons auspices.
M.A. Rutherford went to St. Joseph early this morning for the body, and this afternoon, it was removed to the home at 1104 Cedar street.
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 26, 1926, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
HUNTER FUNERAL AT 2 P.M. WED.
STORES ASKED TO CLOSE DURING SERVICES AT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Funeral services for Lee Hunter will be conducted tomorrow afternoon at 2 o;clock at the Presbyterian church of which the deceased was long a member and officer. Rev. H.T. Scherer will conduct the services at the church. The committal services at Silver Brook cemetery will be under auspices of the Masonic lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Rex Leach will sing.
Mayor Beebe today issued a call to the merchants of Niles asking that they closed their stores tomorrow afternoon during the hour of the funeral services.
Among those expected in the city this afternoon to remain until after the funeral services are Mr. and Mrs. Merritt W. Hanchett, of Holland, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Hanchett, of Detroit; Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Richardson and Lamont Hunter, of Cheybogan[sic], Wis; Harmon Reirdon and Mr. Colegrove, of Chicago.