Michael Stephen Hunter

Michael Stephen Hunter, 72, of Circleville, Ohio, went to his eternal home on Sunday, May 7, 2023. He was born March 28, 1951, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Lindsay L. Hunter and Viola M. Sooy Hunter. Mike was the oldest of three children. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Larry Hunter.

Mike leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Carol D. Gross Hunter; children, Greg Hunter and Elizabeth Hunter; grandson, Brian Krepp; sister, Kathy (Jim) Carr, and many more family members, friends, and loved ones.

Mike grew up in Miamisburg, Ohio and accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized when he was 12 years old. He graduated from Miamisburg High School and was married to his wife on August 23, 1969. In 1971, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served at Langley AFB, Virginia and Wheeler AFB, Hawaii as a Communication Center Specialist. In Hawaii, Mike began his lifelong career as a cabinet maker-building items at the base's woodworking shop.

After the Air Force, Mike and Carol returned home settling in Germantown, Ohio. Mike was employed as a Cabinet Maker for Grauduss, Inc. in Trotwood, Ohio from 1974-1978, before opening his own shop, Woodcraft, Inc. in Germantown in 1977 and then in Miamisburg. In 1981, Mike sold his business and worked for the J.S. Maclean Co., Columbus, Ohio from 1981-1987 where they specialized in department store fixtures all over the USA. In 1987, he returned to Germantown to work for Hamilton Fixture, starting a new division for that company in Hamilton, Ohio. In 1991, Mike returned to the J.S. Maclean Company, where he finished his career as President & General Manager in 2007.

In 1995, Mike and Carol moved to the Hocking Hills area and built a home. In 2000, they began renovating a late 1800s log cabin, Big Maple Log Cabin, turning it into a rental cabin. Mike also held a Charter Captain's license (Sue Bob Charters) and fished Lake Erie with his lifelong friend Dan Chester. He loved fishing and hunting. Together, Mike and Carol later owned and operated Hocking Hills Roasters & Confections.

Mike and Carol began attending Crossroads Church, Circleville, Ohio in 2007 where they immediately felt at home and made lifelong friends in the Inspiration Small Group. Mike and Carol became members of Crossroads in 2009 and Mike began serving God as a Trustee on the church's General Board, as a member of the Crossroads Christian Academy (CCA) School Board, and on the Crossroads Missions Board. Mike's passion was missions. He traveled with Crossroads mission work teams to Louisville, KY, Indianapolis, IN and Biloxi, MS in association with the Fuller Center for Housing, a faith-based housing ministry. Mike also traveled to Honduras, Dominica, and Papa New Guinea with mission teams through World Gospel Mission.

In 2015 they moved to Circleville, Ohio after their REAL retirement and enjoyed traveling across the USA. Florida was his favorite place. They settled in LaBelle, FL each winter and made wonderful friends. Mike loved his children and grandson, sister, nieces, and nephews and most recently, welcoming great nieces and nephews! Mike loved his Lord. In Mike's own words he would say, "I love God and serving my Lord Jesus Christ." His favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4:4-7: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Mike lived his faith in all realms of loving people and telling them that of Jesus.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 12 from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am at Newcomer, Centerville Chapel, 820 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd, Pastor Wayne Hunter officiating. Graveside service will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, West Carrollton, Ohio

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the "Missions Committee" of Circleville Crossroads Church, 5679 Tarlton Rd, Circleville, OH 43113 in Mike's memory.

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