Jo Ann Gunter

Jo Ann Gunter, nee Pfister, 84, a resident at Brookdale Shawnee Memory Care, Shawnee, Kansas, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. She was born on February 15, 1939, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to John and Dorothy (Brooks) Pfister. She lived most of her life in the Village of Fairfax, Ohio, an eastern suburb just outside the city limits of Cincinnati.
Jo Ann completed her education in the Mariemont City School District, graduating from Mariemont (Ohio) High School, class of 1957. While still in high school, she met Arlie Gunter through another local Fairfax resident, Vinnie Harrison. They quickly fell in love and married on June 8, 1957, the day after Jo Ann graduated from high school. Two years later, they celebrated the birth of their only son, Arlie Terrance (Terry) Gunter, on April 30, 1959.
Jo Ann started working at The Strietmann Biscuit Company in Mariemont part-time while in high school and was employed full-time after graduation. She started out as a key punch operator, then became a payroll clerk, and was eventually promoted to payroll supervisor and then office manager before retiring in 1995.
Jo Ann was a faithful member of the Fairfax Church of the Nazarene, where she served as a member of the choir, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School volunteer, and church board member for many years.
Jo Ann had a big heart and a warm smile and made friends easily. She loved to cook, especially desserts, and hosted many guests in her home for dinners across the years. Some of her family's favorites were Peanut Butter Pie, Peanut Butter Fudge, and Banana Cream Pudding! She was also an immaculate housekeeper; no dust bunnies were allowed in her home! She must have thought her only son would be a lifelong bachelor because she taught him to cook and clean house from a very young age!
Jo Ann is survived by her son, Terry (Donna) Gunter; two grandchildren, Trenton (Laureen) Gunter and Cameron Gunter; and four great grandchildren, Braeden, Carson, Alayna, and Brinley. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlie Gunter; her parents, John and Dorothy Pfister; four siblings, Carol (Pfister) Hamilton, Mary (Pfister) Hayes, Johnny Pfister, and James Pfister; and one grandson, Brandon Gunter.
A Celebration of Jo Ann's life will be held at a later date at Fairfax Church of the Nazarene in Cincinnati, Ohio. Burial will be at Graceland Memorial Gardens in Cincinnati.
Her family grieves her passing but celebrates the fact that her mind and body are whole and she is with her Lord and Savior and a host of family members, including her "babe"-Archie, who have gone before!
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