John Hunter Obituary

John Mark Hunter

John Mark Hunter, 87, peacefully went to his eternal home to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, March 1, 2026.

John was born in Fostoria, February 16, 1939, to Ray and Alice (Tong) Hunter. After graduating from Carey High School in 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, Sara (Romig) Hunter, July 22, 1961. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962-1964 at Fort Bliss, Texas and Fort Mead, Maryland. When they returned to Carey, they became lifelong residents in the home his father built in the 1920s.

John retired from Autolite in Fostoria after 32 years of employment. At the same time, he was dedicating many years to farming until retiring in 2009. He was affiliated with the Wyandot County Sheriff's Auxiliary for 66 years, including the scuba rescue recovery team and the mounted posse. He was a lifelong member of Memorial Evangelical Church, having served on almost every committee and taught Sunday School. He also enjoyed being a member of Black Swamp Driving Club and the Wyandot County Farm Bureau. His hobbies included reading, driving horses and buggies, things Civil War, woodworking, scrimshaw, and collecting Marx guns and P-51 Mustangs.

John was dedicated to his family and appreciated the time he was able to spend with them, together. He was a patient, selfless and caring man of few words, so when he spoke, people listened. His wisdom and steadfast commitment to his faith in God are why so many saw him as a role model and trusted advisor. He never stopped studying and teaching about his Lord and Savior, and felt a deep-hearted desire for everyone to have a relationship with God.

John is survived by his wife, Sara (Romig) Hunter and their three children; Dan (Tam) Hunter of Carey, Rachel (Dave) Kistner of Forreston, Texas, and Dave (Carrie) Hunter of Fostoria. He adored his grandchildren, Kara (Eric) Farris of Italy, Texas, Kristen (Dalton) Pike of Forreston, Texas, Cameron (fiancée Becca) Hunter of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Kayla (Ben) Hood of Cincinnati; as well as his stepgrandchildren, Michael Jason (Rachel) Monday, Sara Southward and Dan Monday who all live in the area. He held a very special place in his heart for great-grandchildren, Hudson, Lyla and Hayden in Texas, as well as Autumn, Tayler, Wyatt and Sabastian. Mike (Eileen) Roszman are very special members of the family because of the years Mike lived in their home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Alice Hunter; his three infant brothers; and the brothers he grew up with, Howard and Stanley Hunter.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home in Carey. Funeral services will be at Memorial Evangelical Church in Carey, March 5, 2026. A short visitation will be at the church at 10 a.m. with a service to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will follow the service at Spring Grove Cemetery, Carey.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Dorcas Carey Public Library, Wyandot County Sheriff's Auxiliary, Memorial Evangelical Church (Carey, Ohio) or a charity chosen by the donor.

The family wants to thank Blanchard Valley Hospital doctors and nurses, with special thanks to the 6th floor nurses for their kind, compassionate and respectful care of him, almost like they were members of his family. Thank you to Bridge Hospice for the care and attention to John, his family and friends.