Irene R. Hunter

     Irene Hunter, 105, of Chillicothe, passed at 12:20 p.m. Monday, September 1, 2025 with her loving daughter by her side in National Church Residences, Chillicothe, Ohio.

     She was born November 14, 1919, in Pawnee, OK to Warren and Addie Rider.  On February 27, 1943, she married Cornell C. Hunter who passed on April 11, 1999. 

     Surviving are a daughter, Edith (Steve) Zimmerman, of Cincinnati; grandchildren, Angela (Rob) Smaltz, Courtney (Evan) Zimmerman, Rebecca Billman, Hannah Zimmerman, Matthew Zimmerman; great grandchildren, Adeline and Ava Smaltz, Bryson and Riley Billman and Elsie Zimmerman Leach; a nephew, Dard (Karissa) Hunter, III, of Chillicothe; and a niece, Eloise (Joe) Walburn, of Athens.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a daughter, Martha A. Billman and sisters, Dorothy, Ruth, and Roseanne. 

     Irene attended Miss Brown’s School and Milwaukee State Teacher’s College where she sang in the acapella choir.  She lived in Chillicothe for over 70 years.  Irene was a member of the Chillicothe Garden Club since 1965.  She was a member of the Adena Women’s Board for 41 years where she had also served as president and started the annual plant sale that took place each spring in Yoctangee Park.  Irene was also an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where she sang in the Choir for many years and had also served on the St. Anne’s Guild.  She was a long-time member of the Chillicothe Country Club where she enjoyed playing bridge with her dear friends.  Irene traveled all over the world with her husband, loved gardening and was an avid Ohio State football fan.  Irene was actively involved in her community and loved to celebrate life.  Her greatest joy was being with her family especially traveling with them.  Irene was always positive, a forward thinker, a source of wisdom for family and was an inspiration to many.  Her home was always filled with love, joy and laughter.

     Over the years, she had worked at Fish and Wildlife Services, the Columbus VA Regional Office as a VA Claims Examiner, the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, Kear Realty as a Realtor, and H&R Block.  

     The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to the staff of National Church Residences. 

     A celebration of her life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2025 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.  Arrangements are under the direction of the WARE FUNERAL HOME. 

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 33 E. Main Street Chillicothe, Ohio 45601.

     You may sign her online register at warefh.com

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