Carolyn L. “Ginger” Hunter Heeter, 83, of Rochester, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 9:36 a.m., Thursday, Oct.r 24, 2019, at Wynnfield Crossing of Rochester.

On June 24, 1936, Carolyn L. Castleman was born in Fulton County.  She was the second daughter of  Vernon and Gladys Garner Castleman. Growing up, she shared her childhood with a sister, Frances. Carolyn was given the nickname Ginger from her sister, after a favorite pony they rode named Ginger. The girls enjoyed many adventures and the excitement of pony rides.   Proudly, she graduated from Rochester High School with the class of 1954.

In Rochester, Ginger and Nelson Dean Hunter Jr. were married on Dec. 9, 1956. They shared 33 years of life’s adventures. From their union came a son, Jeff. Sadly, Nelson passed away on Feb. 1, 1989, following a valiant battle with cancer.

On Dec. 27, 1997, in Rochester, Ginger and Col. Owen Alan Heeter were married. They were married nearly a decade when he passed away on February 17, 2007.

In her youth, Ginger took piano lessons from Edith Thompson for $2 per lesson which was a half-hour.  Her love and appreciation for music continued as she shared her passion with her own students, teaching piano and organ for three decades.  Mrs. Hunter also served the students of Manitou Training Center as their music teacher from the 1970s till the late 1980’s.  More recently, she was Life Care Center’s director of activities.  For many years Ginger was the chairman of the Fulton County Mental Health Association Christmas drive.

At home, Ginger enjoyed gardening and feeding and observing the hummingbirds.  A sports enthusiast, she was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.  Paramount in her life were her grandchildren. Ginger was very proud of Raeann and Caleb and their many accomplishments.  She was their number one cheerleader always among the crowd at the concerts, sporting events and school activities. She also served as confidant and advisor, always being there for them.

Left to cherish Ginger’s memory  are a son, Jeffrey D. Hunter and wife Kim of Rochester; two step-daughters, Kathy Sanchez and husband, Maurice, of Louisville, Kim Huffman and husband Robert “Huff” of  Rockledge, Fla.; grandchildren, Raeann Hunter McGuire and wife Sara McGuire of Sarasota, FL, Caleb Hunter and companion Carly Eager of  New York City; sister, Frances Baxter, of Rochester, brother-in-law, Larry Hunter, and wife Jean Ann, of North Webster; a niece, Lee Ann Pollock, and husband, George “Buddy,” of Rochester ; nephews, Dr. George “Chip” Pollock, Ph.D. and wife, Amy, of Colorado Springs, Colo.,  and Chad Baxter, of  Rochester.

Preceding Ginger in death are her parents Vernon and Gladys Castleman, husbands Nelson Dean Hunter, Col Owen Alan Heeter and brother-in-law Ernest Parke Baxter.

A celebration of the life of Carolyn L. “Ginger” Heeter will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18^th St. Rochester. Friends may visit with the family from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home.  Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the Carolyn “Ginger” Hunter Heeter Fine Arts Memorial Fund, through the Northern Indiana Community Foundation, 227 E. 9^th St., Rochester, IN 46975.

Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to her family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.