Ralph L. Hunter

Ralph L. Hunter, 83, a longtime resident of Guys Mills, died Monday, April 25, 2011 at the Meadville Medical Center.

He was born October 24, 1927 in Corry, a son of Elmer and Helen Luce Hunter.  He married Patricia M. Devlin in Philadelphia August 25, 1951.

He was a graduate of Union City High School and was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War proudly serving in the Marine Corps from 1945 - 1951 obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.  Following his military service and marriage he and his wife returned to this area where he was self-employed most of his life working as a dairy farmer in the Union City and then Guys Mills area, then in trucking and the gravel business ultimately forming R. Hunter Inc. (which his son now owns and operates).  He also worked for Cyclops in Titusville and H.J. Groves Contracting on the interstate highway system in western Pennsylvania.  He was always hard-working and honest.  He was a member of the Land Improvement Contractors of America and the Pioneer Steam & Gas Engine Society.

Survivors, in addition to his loving wife Patricia of 59 years, include: four daughters, Kathleen M. Rinn and her husband William A. of Waldorf, MD, Col. Patricia A.H. Saulsbery (Ret.) and her husband Lt. Col. Thomas B. (Ret.) of Reston, VA,, Maureen A.H. Hager and her husband William R. of Franklin, PA and Florence M. Umstead and her husband Steven of Leesburg, VA; a son Ralph E. Hunter and his wife Susan E. of Guys Mills; fourteen grandchildren, Kathleen A. Rinn, Heather A. Rinn, Sarah A. Rinn, Alison P. Saulsbery, Nathan W. Hager, Hillary H. Carter and her husband Matthew, Nicholas H. Hager, Natalie A. Hager, Stephanie H. Umstead, Zachery P. Hunter, Emily P. Hunter, Thomas R. Hunter, Maggie M. Hunter and Elizabeth S. Hunter; three nephews, Harold Hunter of Cambridge Springs, Jerry Hunter of Saegertown and Dennis Hunter of Union City and several nieces and nephews on Patricia's side of the family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Hunter and his wife Jean and a nephew, Larry Hunter.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

The funeral service will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Fr. Raymond Gramata, officiating.

Interment will be in St. Hippolyte Cemetery with military honors provided by Harm Jan Huidekoper VFW Post #2006

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, PA 16335.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net