Francis Hunter

Francis “Frank” R. Hunter, 78, died, Friday, February 17, 2012
at Northern Michigan Hospital, Petoskey.

Frank was born March 30, 1933
to Raymond and Aurore (Fontaine) Hunter in Alpena, Michigan.

He was in the first class to graduate from Catholic Central High School in 1951.
Frank graduated from Bay City Junior College in 1953, and Wayne University in
1954 from its Mortuary School of Science.

Frank Hunter married Evelyn Hoodlet on August 6, 1955 at Saint Bernard’s
Catholic Church. Like his father, Frank Hunter was identified with community
service. Among the many organizations he participated in were: Alpena Power
Squadron; Camp Merriment (board member); Alpena Civic Theatre; Thunder Bay
Arts Council board member 8 years; Kiwanis Club over 50 years; Alpena Elks
Lodge No. 505; Charter member and a founder of the Alpena Moose Lodge;
Knights of Columbus more than 50 years; Alpena Figure Skaters Association;
Alpena Yacht Club over 50 years; Alpena High Band and Orchestra Boosters
President 1976/78; United Commercial Travelers; and The Boy Scouts of America,
and later served as Thunderhead District Chair for three years.
His wife, Evelyn assisted him with many of these pursuits. A sample of the events
for these organizations follows:
Frank Hunter assisted Myron David Orr in the producing the Catholic Central Band
Boosters theatrical shows. Myron David Orr directed the shows into the 60’s to
large audiences, often using prominent members of the community as actors.
Audiences were estimated at 3,000 a night, in four performances of each play.
For the Alpena High Band and Orchestra Boosters, Frank organized a performance
by the U. S. Navy Band, The audience filled the entire gymnasium at
Alpena High School. Folding chairs were brought in from everywhere in Alpena to
accommodate the crowd. Students from surrounding communities were bused in.
Every school had chosen one student from their band program to play with the
Navy Band.
As a member of the Thunder Bay Arts Council, Frank chaired a concert by the
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which played to an overflow crowd in the
Alpena High School auditorium. Many of the audience stood, while others were
invited by the band to bring chairs on the stage to sit beside them. Frank took pride
in bringing these great events to Alpena.
He volunteered at numerous fund-raising events for Kiwanis Club, including selling
Kiwanis Peanuts, Kiwanis Kapers varicty show, shortcake lunches on many
4th of July’s; the Brown Trout Festival; working the Lud’s/ Kiwanis trailer at the
Alpena County Fair, and many more.
As a Knight of Columbus he sold Tootsie Rolls for their fund raising.

Frank Hunter began his career as a funeral director at age 13 under his grandfather,
A. C, Hunter. His grandfather started Hunter Funeral Home in 1915. Frank directed
thousands of funerals in his nearly lifelong career as a funeral director. Funeral
service is a tradition in his family. His father, mother, grandfather, uncle, and
cousins were attracted to this vocation.

Frank Hunter is survived by:
his wife, Evelyn;
sons, Mark, Thomas (Pam);
daughters, Audrey McKimmy (Scott), Beverly Sue Thomas (Timothy);
grandchildren, Heather Hunter-Frantz (Trevor), Mitchell Thomas,
Nicholas McKimmy, Jason Thomas, Thomas Hunter II, and
Dustin McKimmy;
three brothers and two sisters, nieces, and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, James.
Friends may call at The Hunter Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 21 from 1-8 p.m.
A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the funeral home
on Wednesday, February 22 at 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m.,
Sister Mary Hughes officiating.
Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.

Thank-you to Mr, Ted Beck of Rogers City who assisted our family.