James "J.D." Dean Hunt

Family asks that memorial donations be directed to St. Mary's Church Tuckpointing Project. 609 10th Street, Alton, IA 51003.

James Dean “J.D.” Hunt, age 52 of Alton, IA passed away on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by his family.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton, IA, with Father Dan Greving officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Alton, IA. Visitation with family present will be 4-7 p.m. on Monday, with a Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus rosary and vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. all at the Church. Services have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.

J.D. was born on May 6, 1965 to Freddie and Skip (Schierholt) Hunt in Sheldon, IA. He was raised in Granville, IA and graduated from Spalding Catholic High School in 1983. He went on to get his diesel mechanics degree from NCC. He used his passion for mechanics in various professions and in most recent years worked primarily in IT/Networking. This was surpassed only by his love for his four children.

His love expanded when he married Mary (Kellen) Hunt on November 3, 2007 who he referred to as “My Love”. With open arms, he accepted four additional children to claim as his own. As a family of 10 (and more added throughout the years), many Holiday traditions continued and new ones were formed that include: “Festivus", Black Friday shopping, fishing on Mother’s Day, playing Santa, the “missing” chocolate bunny ears, playing 10-point pitch, mailing his girls Valentine's Day chocolates, and Christmas tree cutting.

J.D. had many hobbies and interests. He enjoyed gardening, farming, reading, cooking, camping, fishing, RAGBRAI, and tinkering in the garage. He also enjoyed coaching and officiating a variety of sports. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Catholic Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus, and the Granville Jaycees.

He will forever be remembered for his sarcasm, impersonations, reciting movie quotes, willingness to lend a helping hand to everyone, and infectious (sometimes over-the-top) laugh. His big heart left a lasting impact on all of those he knew.

J.D. is survived by his wife, Mary; four children, Cody (Sarah) Hunt, Kelsey (Matthew) Wanderscheid, Taylor Hunt, and Tarah Hunt (fiancé Jeff Ferstein); four step-children, Justin (Heidi) Hunt, Katie, Lucas, and Mitchell Hunt; much anticipated arrival of two granddaughters; his parents, Freddie and Rose Mary “Skip” Hunt; his in-laws, Joe and Liz Kellen; his five siblings, Brenda Hunt (Donnie Guthrie), Debbie (Donnie) Skrynski, Darrell Hunt (fiancee Brenda Langland), Joe (Tami) Hunt, and Patty (Kirk) Hatting; Mary’s eight siblings, Anne (Dean) Torgerson, Judy Kellen, Joni (Keith) Lamfers, Neal (Tammy) Kellen, Karl (Missy) Kellen, Tony (Gina) Kellen, Cari Kellen, and Rick (Gwen) Kellen. J.D. will also be forever remembered by his numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and dear friends.

Honorary bearers will be, Tim Lancaster, Scott Lewis, Leon Pottebaum, Tom Roder, Jim Schlichte, Brad Te Grootenhuis, members of the Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus.