Edward August Lunte, Jr. passed away July 13th, 2016 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Edward was the son of Edward Lunte, Sr. and Myrtle Betterton. He was born April 28th, 1923 in North St. Louis, Missouri.
Edward was drafted into the military in January of 1942. He was trained as a radar technician and was stationed in Guam as a member of the 315th Bomb Wing. Upon his return home to St. Louis in spring of 1946, Edward returned to his job at Mallinckrodt Chemical Company. Through his brother, Edward became reacquainted with Lois Goltermann, who had grown up in the same neighborhood.
The two quickly became close and were married two years later on June 12th, 1948 at the Salem Evangelical Church in St. Louis. Their marriage lasted 65 years. On August 6, 1957, they welcomed a son, Craig Edward Lunte.
Ed graduated from Washington University in St. Louis on the GI bill. He spent most of his career as an internal auditor for Laclede Gas Company in St. Louis. In 2001, Edward and Lois moved to Lawrence to be closer to their son, Craig, daughter-in-law Susan, and his two granddaughters, Alyson and Kathryn. Craig was a professor and Chair of the Chemistry Department at the University of Kansas.
Ed and Lois made many new friends in Lawrence and they will be deeply missed. They were active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence and were involved in the Longleaf community where they lived in Lawrence. They were also wonderful grandparents. Edward spent a lot of time at St. John’s school with his granddaughters and enjoyed being the taxi service for the girls and many of their friends. He was also an active member of the American Legion, enjoying his Thursday night visits, dancing and watching the Junkyard Jazz Band.
Edward is survived by his two granddaughters, Alyson Lunte and Kathryn Lunte, and by his daughter-in-law Susan (Hommel) Lunte. His wife, son, and brother (Lou) preceded him in death.
In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions in Ed’s name can be made to St. John’s School, the American Legion or the Kansas University Endowment Association Craig Lunte Memorial Fund.
A memorial service will be held on October 1st. (TBA)
I had the privilege of knowing your grandfather/father-in-law for a brief period while I was at Presbyterian Manor for rehab after back surgery. (We sat at the same table for meals.) I appreciated his fine sense of humor, gentlemanly manner and interesting stories. I will not forget him. He was a bright, articulate man. Please accept my condolences.
Susan I’m sorry for your loss