August 2004                                                  The Megaphone                                                        Page 7


The Huntsinger Family

by Ginny (Hocker) Noble

   

There has been some discussion of the Huntsinger family on the list. I have a niece married to Ed Huntsinger and know a little about them.

       
They have lived in Elwood for many years, and as long as I can remember they lived at 708 North Anderson Street. William (Bill) was the father of the family you are discussing. Cedric and George were his brothers that also lived in Elwood. Peggy (’57) and her twin brothers Rex and Max (’56) were Cedric’s children. George’s daughter was Susie.
             

William worked at R. L. Leesons; he did just about everything in that store. He worked there most of his life, as did many of the children. After his first wife passed away, he married Eva Hester Lane. She taught piano to many Elwood children and had a daughter – Marena Lane.

Children:

     
William Huntsinger Jr. –  (1951) graduated from Western Michigan College, commissioned an officer in the army, retired a Lt. Col.,  married , 3 children and now lives in Arizona.
           

King Huntsinger – (1954) married Patricia Sutton, retired from Inland Fisher Guide, lived in Elwood, passed away in 2000.
   

Jeanette Huntsinger Gunn – (1956) she married Larry Gunn, has four children, lives west of Elwood, and has worked 27 years at Linders/Taylors grocery in Elwood.
            

David Huntsinger – (1957) graduated from Austin Peay College in Tennessee. Retired from teaching, married, 2 children, 4 grandchildren, farms and does odd jobs close to Knoxville, Tennessee.
   

Danny Huntsinger – (1959) worked at Ex-Cell-O, joined the air-force, became a tool and die maker, lives in  No. Carolina, married and has 2 children, 2 grandchildren, retired and is a handy man.
   

Joan (Joanie) – would have graduated (1961) she had worked at various jobs, but the swimming pool was the one I remember.  She went with her brother to a teen dance in Tipton. She collapsed and died in his arms.
    

Edward (Ed) - (1963) went to Austin Peay and Ball State, worked at Delco Remy 37 years and retired as senior manufacturing engineer, married to Nina Runyan, lives in Elwood, has 2 daughters and 1 grandson, he stays busy with yard work, odd jobs, and church.
    

Dennis – (1969) went to Austin Peay College, played basketball there, married, 3 children, teacher and lives in Frankton, Indiana.
    

This family is just one of many proud examples of our small community. They have been outstanding citizens. They studied, worked hard, were frugal, served their country, and supported their churches. Most of them participated in some kind of athletic events, and usually excelled in that sport. They played basketball, football, baseball, track, and swimming. I may have missed something, but their children are also successful and intelligent.

They were like many of our Elwood families given a wonderful education, and guided by their parents to do their best in their endeavors.

Someone asked the question, "What is the best thing about growing up in Elwood?" I can answer that question easily. It is "the people." That was the best thing – the wonderful schools (teachers), the great town (groceries, banks, hospital, etc.) again the people. It is the wonderful
and great people who made growing up in Elwood "the best" thing.

Now … for the rest of the story ... one of the remarkable achievements of this family is this: all of these 8 children attended the Elwood School System for 12 years (except Joanie – 11yrs) and rarely ever missed a day of school. And all 8 of these children had 4 and probably more years of perfect attendance of Sunday School at the First Methodist Church.
      

Submitted by . . . 

Ginny (Hocker) Noble 1960


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