Retha Arlene Hunter

Retha was born on February 3, 1934, to Scott Amel Shaffer and Mary E. Isch at Hartford, KS. She died Saturday, November 22,  2025, at Haysville, Kansas.   Her family later moved to Gridley, Kansas where Retha attended Gridley elementary and high school. She was a majorette in high school.   After graduating from Gridley High School, Retha went to Topeka, KS to work for Capper’s Weekly Newspaper and Southwestern Bell Telephone company, until her marriage to Mr. Merlin Dean Hunter of Burlington Kansas.  They were married on September 19, 1954, at the Methodist Church.  They were blessed with two children, Terry Lee Hunter and Cynthia (Cindy) Ann Hunter.  Retha is a member of the Gridley Christian Church.

After living in Burlington, Lebo, and Downs, Kansas, Merlin & Retha settled in Leavenworth, KS. She was employed as a Secretary for the City of Leavenworth, Parks & Recreation Department until her retirement in June 1995. Her husband Merlin retired in August 1995. Which resulted in choosing to move back to Gridley Kansas to make their retirement home. Merlin & Retha became snowbirds, spending their winters in Texas until the loss of her husband Merlin, in November 2000. Retha enjoyed doing crafts in Texas, reading, camping and traveling.

Retha was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Merlin Dean Hunter.   Her parents Scott & Mary Shaffer, her brothers Harvey Lee & Arnold Dean, her sisters and their spouses Freda Mae (Leo) Eccles & (Frank) Paskins, Lucille Lorraine (Don) Whitehead, brother-in-law Marvin Dean B Schiff, and one grandson, Joshua Scott Hunter.

Surviving Retha are her children, Terry Lee, his wife Rebecca (Becky) Hunter, their children, Jacob C (Nicole) Hunter and children, Jacquelyn M Hunter (Garrett Butler) and their children and Cindy A Hunter, and her sister, Mary Lou Schiif.  Along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family friends.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, KS.  Burial will follow in Gridley Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gridley Christian Church and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

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