John C. Wunder, Jr.

John C. Wunder Jr., age eighty-eight, of Cleveland, Missouri, died on June 8, 2016, at his home. John was born on August 8, 1927, in Las Angeles, California, the son of John Charles Wunder Senior and Isabelle Francis Ware. He married Mary Ann Jurgeson on August 29, 1953, and together they enjoyed fifty-three years of marriage.
The couple and their children moved to Cleveland in 1966, and in his time John owned and operated an excavating and house building business, Cleveland Grocery, and the Skelly Oil Cleveland Garage and gas station. While raising his young family John bought a farm four miles outside Cleveland on which his parents lived rent free, with him paying their utilities. Later he bought the land where he lived for forty-five years. Through his example his family learned how to work hard, dream big, and achieve all they could. Mary Ann showed her love through time and attention; John demonstrated his through being the provider, the man who took on the weight of the world so that his family could live the lives we see on television from the shows and movies of the 50s and 60s. The world raged around him and his family, but John was the rock—tough enough to take the bumps, soft enough to let those he loved know they hadn't a worry in the world.
John was blessed with an excellent mind, skipping two grades as he passed through elementary school. That intellect and desire went beyond his business and family. He served on the Cleveland City Council for several years and for two terms as Cleveland’s mayor. He was appointed by Missouri's governor to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and wrote that council's bylaws.
John loved airplanes, learned to fly, and earned his pilot's license. Though flying was the hobby he most loved, he abandoned it for a love that meant more—that of his wife, who never could enjoy flying or knowing her husband was in the air.
John is preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann and his grandson Steven Charles Wunder. He is survived by three sons and one daughter: Gary L. Wunder and wife Debbie of Columbia, John C. Wunder III [Jay] of Belton, Mark W. Wunder and wife Tina of Freeman, and Theresa A. Hawkins and husband Mike of Cleveland. John leaves twelve grandchildren: Jason Sutton, Mike Hawkins II and wife Jessica, Keith Wunder, Mandy Bowen and husband Daniel, Jeremy Wunder and wife Jade, Missy Shackleford and husband Chris, Megan Wilson and husband Kevin, Christopher Wunder and wife Brenda, Mary Martin and husband Chris, Abbey Houchen, and Johnna Hawkins. He is also survived by fourteen great grandchildren: Anthony Hawkins, Mikayla Hawkins, Ethan Sutton, Cole Young, Skylar Hawkins, Sadie Maddox, Maverick Wunder, Justus Koetting, Jace Koetting, Lynkoln Bowen, Gentry Wunder, Jozlinn Hawkins, Hadlee Wunder, and Avery Shackleford.

Cremation. A Celebration of Life Service was held Friday, June 10, 2016 at the First Baptist Church, Cleveland, Missouri with Military Service to follow.
Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, Cleveland, Missouri.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.