Charlotte D. Hunter

iehlke), age 89, of Stanton, MO, passed away Sunday, August 7, 2022 from heart failure.

Charlotte Dorothy Ziehlke was born on February 2, 1933 in Skokie, Illinois, to August and Elsie Ziehlke (Hering). She lived on a farm in Skokie where they grew their own vegetables. She moved to Chicago, and from there bought a house in Oak Lawn suburb that was in her own name. This was not common at that time.

In her younger days, she would enter in Powder Puff Stock Car races. That would explain her unique driving techniques.

Charlotte worked at the Continental Can Company plant in Chicago, from which she retired as a tin slitter operator after 30 years of service. While there, she earned her GED and helped organize and establish Local Union #6999 at the plant. Being involved with the union, she began to split her time between working on the machines and working as a secretary in the office, to eventually just mostly working in the office.

When Charlotte retired, she moved to Stanton, Missouri to be near her sister, Marge Ziehlke, and to help in any way she could with the horses, birds, and other animals they kept. She was always doing things for other people, whether it was watching and taking care of exotic animals while the owners were away, volunteering to get flowers for Concordia Lutheran Church of Bourbon, alter duty, or whatever was needed. She especially enjoyed doing activities with her grandchildren, such as taking them swimming, fishing, riding, to the local fairs, and the lake.

Charlotte is survived by her granddaughter, Isis Riesen of Stanton, MO; daughter, Jeannie Karnia and husband James of New Lenox, IL; granddaughter, Jaclyn Plachy and husband Michael of Elwood, IL; great-grandsons, Michael Eugene III and Liam Plachy; grandson, Jeffrey Karnia and wife Dana of Braceville, IL; great-granddaughter, Seaena Karnia; grandson, Jarett Karnia and wife Tanya of Bloomington, IL; great-granddaughter, Evalyn, and great-grandson, Owen Karnia; niece, JoAnne Kenny and husband Ed of Lombard, IL; niece, Lyn Ziehlke-Reece and husband James of Schaumburg, IL; cousin, Jean Culling of Skokie, IL; as well as some other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hunter; son, Fred G. Riesen Jr.; son, Allen Hunter; brothers, August Ziehlke and Raymond Ziehlke in infancy; and sister, Marge Ziehlke.

Funeral services were 12 p.m., Saturday, August 13, 2022 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan.

Visitation was from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, prior to the service at Eaton Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions in Charlotte’s memory may be made to the Concordia Lutheran Church of Bourbon and/or the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, MO.

Online condolences may be shared with Charlotte’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

All arrangements are under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.